EMAR/Non-EMAR Support
Our Seamless EMAR/Non-EMAR Integration
Our Commitment: Accurate, accessible medication records are a cornerstone of safe care in residential settings. Whether using electronic medication administration records (EMAR) or traditional paper MAR charts, care homes must maintain robust systems to meet CQC compliance expectations and protect resident safety. At Hot Chemist, we are proud to support both EMAR and non-EMAR environments — helping homes achieve operational excellence, whatever system they choose
Key Features:
- Direct integration and compatibility with major EMAR platforms, including: Atlas, Omnicell, Optum, Med E-care, and NaviMeds.
- Clear, accurate, printed MAR charts for non-EMAR homes.
- Proactive support for record reconciliation and discrepancy resolution.
CQC and NICE Guidance
Both CQC and NICE require that medication administration records:
- Are complete, accurate, and contemporaneous.
- Support safe administration practices.
- Allow for auditing and performance monitoring.
- Protect residents by reducing the risk of errors.
Relevant regulations include:
- Regulation 17 — Good Governance: Requires providers to maintain accurate records for medication management.
- Regulation 12 — Safe Care and Treatment: Emphasizes safe administration and monitoring of medicines.
The CQC does not mandate the use of EMAR systems; however, whichever method is used, it must meet the fundamental standards for safety, traceability, and auditability.
The Systems We Support
Hot Chemist integrates with and actively supports the following leading EMAR platforms:
- Atlas EMAR: Offers real-time administration tracking, error prevention features, and secure record keeping.
- EMIS EMAR: Integrated with primary care systems, improving communication between GPs and care homes.
- Medicare EMAR: Provides user-friendly dashboards and strong auditing capabilities.
- Omnicell EMAR: Focuses on medication adherence, stock management, and administration accuracy.
- Access Group EMAR: Supports multi-site operators with scalable medication management technology.
We work directly with your EMAR provider to:
- Ensure medication supply formats align with system requirements.
- Help reconcile medication changes accurately within the EMAR.
- Provide support for managing discrepancies or data gaps.
Our Support for Non-EMAR Homes
We recognise that many care homes prefer the reliability and simplicity of traditional paper MAR charts. At Hot Chemist, we:
- Automatically generate clear, compliant MAR charts through our PMR system for every medication cycle.
- Provide updated MARs promptly when prescriptions change.
- Ensure MAR charts are formatted to support safe administration and easy record-keeping.
- Train care staff on best practices for using paper MARs safely and effectively.
We strongly support non-EMAR homes and believe that original packaging plus clear MAR charts remains one of the safest and most compliant approaches for many care settings, especially smaller or specialist homes.
The Risks of Poor Medication Records
Without a robust system (electronic or paper-based):
- Medication
errors increase, risking resident harm.
- Audit
trails become incomplete or inaccurate.
- CQC
inspections may highlight governance failures.
- Resident
trust and family confidence can deteriorate.
Regulatory Risk: Medication administration record
issues are one of the most common causes of “Requires Improvement”
ratings under “Safe” and “Well-led” domains.
Case Study
Case Study Example: Enhancing Medication Record Safety
Imagine a care home with no structured MAR process — either on paper or electronically. Over time:
- Medication omissions are not clearly documented.
- Handwritten amendments create confusion and increase risk.
- Staff lack confidence in their administration processes.
During a CQC inspection, inspectors find incomplete MARs and cite this as a serious governance breach under Regulations 12 and 17.
If that home had partnered with Hot Chemist:
- For non-EMAR homes, professional PMR-generated MAR charts would ensure accuracy and traceability.
- For EMAR homes, medication supply would integrate seamlessly, reducing data entry errors.
- Regular pharmacy-led reviews would help identify and resolve gaps before inspections.
A strong medication record system could shift an inspection outcome from “Requires Improvement” to “Good” or better.
How Hot Chemist’s MAR Support Strengthens Your Care Home
At Hot Chemist, we provide:
- Seamless support for all major EMAR platforms.
- Clear, compliant MAR charts for non-EMAR homes.
- Training and guidance on best practices for medication record-keeping.
- Proactive medication record audits to catch risks early.
Conclusion: Record-Keeping as the Backbone of Safe Care
Whether you use Atlas EMAR, EMIS, Medicare, Omnicell, Access Group, or traditional paper MARs, your medication records must be accurate, complete, and audit-ready.
Hot Chemist ensures care homes have the systems and support they need to maintain outstanding standards of medication safety and regulatory compliance.
Need help optimising your medication record systems? Contact Hot Chemist today — your care home pharmacy specialists.
Pillar 5: Improving Medication Safety in Care Homes: Why a Proactive Pharmacy Approach Matters
Introduction Medication management in care homes is not just about dispensing prescriptions — it’s about continually reviewing, optimising, and personalising resident care. A truly proactive clinical approach improves patient outcomes, strengthens CQC compliance, and supports care homes in delivering safer, more efficient medication management. At Hot Chemist, clinical excellence is at the heart of everything we do.
