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Monitored Dosage System (MDS) FAQs

Here are some of our most frequently asked questions about MDS in Apotec CRM.

1. What do the MDS patient badges mean?

The badges you may see on the Patient panel are:

  • Printed: Displays against patients when the MAR Chart has been printed.
  • eMAR exported: Displays against patients when the eMAR has been exported successfully.
  • eMAR Failed: Displays against patients when the eMAR export fails.
  • Inactive: The patient has been marked as inactive.
2. What do the MDS item badges mean?

On the Medication panel, you may see the below badges:

  • Complex: This badge will display against items when a complex dose has been configured.
  • Ended: Items where the MDS treatment has been ended will display with this badge.
  • Duplicate: Easily identify your duplicate treatment items that you can adjust quantities, dosage instructions and administration times for without impacting the original item record.
3. Can I set a temporary cycle start date to reprint my MDS reports, or print them ahead of time?

Yes. You can use the [Edit Cycle Start Date] buttons in the MDS Manager or on the MDS tab in the patient record to set a temporary cycle start date for the entire nursing home, or for the community patient. In the Medication Cycle window, enter the Start Date and select the Temporary Start Date checkbox. Once you confirm your date, this will be set as the Temporary date until you leave the MDS Manager or MDS tab.

4. Why is the Complex Dose toggle unavailable for some eMAR types?

The Complex Dose toggle is hidden for certain unsupported eMAR types because these systems cannot currently interpret complex dose settings from our export. For example, the toggle is hidden when the eMAR type is set to EMarX or EMarX Local. Once these third-party systems support Complex Dose interpretation, the option will become available.

5. What do the available eMARX codes mean?

The available codes in the Add eMARX code dropdown are:

  • MDU - As Directed: Used for medications that don’t have specific instructions. This often applies to items like creams, shampoos, or eye drops. This type of medication may vary.
  • PRM - When Required: Applies to medications that are taken as needed. These could be taken up to four times a day or for a single dose. Since the dosage can vary, you don’t need to specify an amount unless stated otherwise.
  • INT - Interval Dosing: For medications that need to be given at set intervals, such as once a week, every other day, every 72 hours, or even every few months. This code allows the care team to create a schedule using a dosing calendar.
  • COM - Composite Dosing: For medications with varying doses on different days. This applies to treatments that change in strength, alternate doses, or have amounts that differ over a cycle. The dosing calendar will help track and adjust the doses as needed, such as for medications like prednisolone or levothyroxine.
  • WAR - Warfarin: This code is exclusively for Warfarin. It must be set to a specific time and cannot be adjusted once it’s in place.
  • TBC - To Be Completed by the Nursing Home: Used for medications that meet one of two criteria, either medications that have both a set dose and an optional 'as needed' (PRN) dose, or medications that need to be administered at specific times, beyond the standard four time slots.