What is the purpose of a medication administration record (MAR)?

The purpose of a medication administration record (MAR) is to record each patient's prescribed medications and the times they are administered. This tool is essential for ensuring that medications are given as prescribed, maintaining accurate documentation for healthcare providers, and enhancing patient safety. The MAR helps to prevent errors related to medication administration by providing clear information about what medications a patient is taking, the prescribed dosages, and the timing of each dose. It serves as a vital communication tool among healthcare professionals, enabling them to verify the medication administration processes and track patient responses.

In this context, while tracking patient allergies is important for overall patient safety, it is not the primary function of the MAR. Similarly, detailing the environment of medication administration does not fall within the scope of what the MAR is designed to do. Specifying only medication costs is also outside the MAR's purpose, which focuses instead on administration details rather than financial considerations.