Sarcouncil Journal of Applied Sciences Aims & Scope

Abstract: In long-term care settings, complex medication regimens and workflow challenges contribute to medication errors, making it a major patient safety issue. Electronic Medication Administration Records (eMAR) have been implemented to improve medication safety, although their broad effectiveness has been inconsistent. This systematic review synthesizes evidence regarding the influence of eMAR systems on medication error reduction within long term care settings. A literature search was conducted across PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. Due to substantial methodological heterogeneity among the included studies, including differences in study designs, and reporting approaches, findings were synthesized narratively and categorized into subthemes. Of the 16 studies included, eMAR implementation was generally associated with decreases in overall medication administration error rates, with reported reductions between 4.2% absolute to relative reductions greater than 40%. There was a significant reduction in transcription, wrong medication, wrong dose and time associated errors as well as in error severity and drug related adverse events. eMAR systems improved medication safety by allowing interception of errors at the time of delivery, automatically alerting to potential issues, and improving both documentation accuracy and communication. Timing errors and omissions of medication persisted, however, some studies found no significant change in overall error rates. Workflow efficiency results were mixed, demonstrating progress on documentation processes but with variable effects on administration time. In conclusion, eMAR systems improve medication safety in long-term care settings by reducing certain types of errors and strengthening system-based safeguards. But their effectiveness is context-specific and needs optimized implementation strategies that consider human, technical, and organizational factors.