MAR
Also written as: MAR — Medication Administration Record
Medication Administration Record - a legal document tracking all medications given to psychiatric patients, including scheduled and PRN medications.
Full Definition
Medication Administration Record (MAR) is a comprehensive legal document that tracks all medications administered to psychiatric patients during their hospital stay. The MAR includes scheduled medications, PRN medications, dosages, administration times, route of administration, and the signature of the administering nurse. In psychiatric settings, MARs require special attention to psychotropic medications, their side effects, and patient responses. The record also documents medication refusals, holds, or modifications ordered by physicians. MARs serve as both clinical tools for ongoing care and legal documents for regulatory compliance, making accurate and timely documentation essential for patient safety and facility accreditation.
Usage
Usage note: Always maintain in real-time; never pre-sign or back-date entries on the MAR.
In Context
- "The MAR showed that the patient had refused his evening antipsychotic medication for three consecutive days." — medication review
- "Nurses must sign the MAR immediately after administering each psychiatric medication." — policy procedure