Why the 8 Rights Still Matter in a Digital Age
In assisted living, accuracy in medication administration can mean the difference between wellness and harm. While the shift to digital tools like eMAR (Electronic Medication Administration Records) has modernized how care teams operate, the “8 Rights” of medication administration remain the gold standard.
In this guide, we’ll break down what each right means in today’s care environment and show how an intelligent eMAR system like Synkwise can help providers uphold these rights with less stress, more safety, and better outcomes.
The 8 Rights of Medication Administration
1. The Right Resident
Mistakes can happen in busy environments, especially when multiple residents share similar names or require complex regimens. The right eMAR system ensures every dose is tied to a verified resident profile, often using photo ID and alerts to prevent misadministration.
How Synkwise helps: Built-in resident photos, real-time MAR updates, and smart alerts reduce the chance of selection errors, even during high-volume medication passes.
2. The Right Medication
Each medication must be exactly what the doctor ordered. No mix-ups, no substitutions. eMAR systems drastically reduce errors by auto-checking medications against a resident’s active orders.
How Synkwise helps: Synkwise automatically flags discrepancies when passing medications. You can even set specific parameters like blood pressure, blood sugar, or heart rate thresholds that must be met before a medication can be administered. Synkwise will alert the user if a vital sign falls outside the safe range, ensuring medications are only given when clinically appropriate.
3. The Right Dose
Too much or too little can be dangerous. This is especially true in geriatric populations, where even minor variations in dosing can lead to serious side effects.
How Synkwise helps: Accurate dosage displays and built-in administration instructions ensure caregivers always follow the latest orders. No guesswork. No math.
4. The Right Time
Timely administration is critical, whether it’s managing pain, maintaining insulin levels, or controlling infection. eMAR platforms standardize timing and issue real-time alerts if a med is late or due.
How Synkwise helps: With customizable med pass windows and time-stamped tracking, Synkwise ensures every medication is given when it’s supposed to be and no doses are missed.
5. The Right Route
Oral? Topical? Inhaled? An eMAR ensures caregivers know exactly how a medication should be administered, minimizing the risk of incorrect application.
How Synkwise helps: Route of administration is clearly labeled in every med order and can’t be skipped during documentation.
6. The Right Documentation
Paper MARs are notorious for errors and missed entries. eMAR makes complete, real-time documentation the norm.
How Synkwise helps: One-click documentation during or after administration automatically logs who gave what, when, how and includes audit trails for every action.
7. The Right Reason
Caregivers should understand the purpose behind each medication. When they do, they’re better equipped to identify side effects or advocate for resident safety.
How Synkwise helps: Synkwise includes medication indications and notes from prescribers, so caregivers know exactly why a medication is being given. We also have an added feature through our partnership with DrugBank that provides a clear, clinical description of each medication’s use. This helps staff understand not just what the medication is, but why it’s necessary.
8. The Right Response
Monitoring a resident’s reaction after administering medication is essential. An adverse reaction can develop quickly and needs to be caught early.
How Synkwise helps: Integrated progress notes and alerts let caregivers document and escalate concerns, ensuring swift responses from nurses or physicians.
Why eMAR Matters for the 8 Rights of Medication Administration
The best eMAR systems don’t just digitize records, they enhance safety, simplify compliance, and empower caregivers to deliver better care.
At Synkwise, we built our eMAR around the workflows of assisted living and long-term care providers. That means:
- Mobile-first access so caregivers can document at bedside.
- Smart alerts to catch errors before they happen.
- Fax integration to streamline orders and eliminate duplicate work.
- Audit-ready records for inspections or unexpected reviews.
Turn the 8 Rights of Medication Administration into Everyday Practice
The 8 Rights aren’t just checkboxes, they’re the foundation of safe, compassionate care. With an intuitive eMAR like Synkwise, you can move beyond reactive compliance and create a proactive culture of excellence.
👉 Want to see how Synkwise can help your team stay compliant and confident? Schedule a demo today!
