Please note: The following feature is available as part of Birdie’s Starter, Core, Advanced, Plus, Care Management and Advanced Care Management packages (As well as Care Management & Rostering, Care Management, Rostering & Finance, Premium, Entry and Essentials) Please get in touch if interested in more information on this feature!
Before you start adding a medication schedule, you will want to ensure that you have the mandatory details filled in first. You can do this via the Client information tab when you first create the profile, or you can do it on the Medication tab.
If you have already filled this in, then you can start adding medication straight away.
How to add medication schedule
Select the Client you would like to create a medication schedule. In the left-hand sidebar, click on Medication. In the Add a medication search bar, start typing the medication you want to add (i.e. Paracetamol) and then select the right medication.
Please Note: Our database is linked to the NHS so all prescribed medications will be available, If you are having trouble finding the medication please see this article - Can't find a medication in Birdie?
Once you have selected the correct medication you can add more details
Choose what support is needed with the medication
What type of medication it is (a scheduled medication, a PRN or part of a blister pack)
Add the Quantity/range for this medication (i.e. 2 tablets)
The route of medication (oral, cutaneous etc)
Add how often the medication is supposed to be taken daily
Choose whether the medication is taken during a time period (ie. morning) or an exact time (i.e. 12.15)
Set a start date and a stop date if there is one
Add any additional notes the Carers might need to know, such as a body map if needed
Click on 'Yes, create schedule' when you are happy with the medication
Please ensure you have filled out all of the required fields when adding a medication, otherwise, you will be prevented from adding the schedule.
Below are the medication time periods to align with the visit cards
Morning: 6:00 to 10:59
Lunch: 11:00 to 13:59
Afternoon: 14:00 to 17:59
Evening: 18:00 to 21:59
Night: 22:00 to 5:59
Please note: To add a nighttime medication, please use the exact timings when scheduling.
If you try to add the same medication to an existing schedule, you will receive a warning message, meaning you cannot accidentally add the same medication twice.
The medication will now appear in the Medication Scheduling section in the Medication tab. You will be able to see the full list of scheduled and stopped medications for this Client.
For a more in-depth guide on how to create a body map for medication, please see this article: Creating a body map for cutaneous medications on Birdie
- Note: Body Maps is not available as part of the Starter package.
How to add a one-off medication
You can add a standalone or one-off dose of a medication by adding the medication as instructed above.
Make the start date the date of the administration, and the last day the same day (not the day after).
For example, if the medication dose is for the 12th of March in the evening, the last dose will also be the 12th of March in the evening.
Please note: if you are adding a medication for a time in the past, you will be prompted to give an outcome whilst creating the medication; see the below section for more details. When adding medications to a session that's past its halfway point, you'll be asked to provide an outcome as the dose is considered to be in the past.
Once you have entered the information, click Yes, create schedule.
You will see the medication as having only one dose on the MAR chart and only appearing once on the visit planning page. In this example, it is an Absorbent dressing.
How to add a medication that was started within the past 24 hours
We understand that sometimes Carers are required to administer a medication without it being scheduled, which is why you can schedule a medication with a start date that is within the past 24 hours to ensure your records are accurate.
When you schedule a first dose, you can select a date and time within the past 24 hours.
If you select a date and time within the past 24 hours instead of in the future, you will be prompted to record an outcome for these doses.
These will then automatically appear in the MAR chart alongside the time of the associated visits.
Visit plans that have already been completed cannot be amended.
How to add a PRN medication schedule
You can use the same steps above to schedule a PRN medication, you will need to select PRN instead of scheduled when creating it.
If you schedule a PRN medication, the Carer will be able to record the dosage as many times as required during the visit. The MAR chart will automatically update to reflect the number of doses that have been administered.
You will not be alerted for PRN medications not taken.
For a more in-depth guide on how to schedule PRN medication please see this article- PRN Protocols
Medication scheduling Birdie Academy video
How to edit or stop a medication schedule
Edit a schedule
We know that some medications need regular changes and updates so our Medication Manager feature easily allows you to edit any existing active medication schedule.
Select the Client and go to their Medication tab. Click on Medication Scheduling, here you will see the list of all active medications. Click the edit button next to the medication name.
You will then be able to change:
The level of support
The dosage
The route
The frequency
The timing
Click Amend schedule when you are done.
Please note: You cannot edit the type of medication e.g. from scheduled to PRN, you will have to create a new schedule.
Stop a schedule
If at any time you need to stop a medication, you can do this by heading back into the Medication scheduling section and selecting Edit on the medication you want to stop. On the right-hand side, you will see Stop medication Schedule.
You will then be able to select to stop your medication:
Immediately
For a specific time and date
If you select, 'Specific date and time' you will see the following option popup. From here, select the date and time you would like to end the medication schedule, click Stop medication schedule when you are done.
Edit or stop Medication Birdie Academy video
How to add a medication schedule that requires a break
If you need to add a medication schedule that requires a break you will need to end the current medication schedule immediately by following the above instructions in this article and start the medication again after the break has ended.
It is not possible to schedule a medication to start for a date in the future so you will have to create the schedule again when the medication is due to be administered.