A medication's schedule isn't a separate step — it's part of the same form you use to add the medication. This article explains the schedule fields in more detail. PRN ("as-needed") medications don't use a schedule at all.
Where the schedule fields are
The schedule lives on the Medication tab of the medication form (Profile → MAR Configuration → open or add a medication). You'll see fields for times, an optional date range, and optional repeat settings — all in one place. There's no separate "Schedule" button to click.
The schedule fields
Time(s)
Add one or more clock times for the dose (e.g. 8:00am and 8:00pm). Each time you add shows in the list; the trash icon removes one. With no repeat options set, the medication is due at these times every day.
Date range (optional)
Turn on Show Date Range Options to set a Start Date and/or End Date — handy for short courses. The medication only appears on the daily MAR within that range.
Example: Antibiotic, 8:00am and 8:00pm, from 2025-01-12 to 2025-01-19.
Repeat options (optional)
Turn on Show Repeat Options if the medication isn't simply daily. You then choose one of:
- Repeat every — every 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, or 4 weeks.
- Repeat on specific days — tick the weekdays it should be given (e.g. Monday, Wednesday, Friday).
Example: Vitamin D, 9:00am, repeat on Monday and Thursday.
PRN medications
For "as-needed" medications, don't set a schedule. Instead:
- Turn on the PRN toggle on the medication. The time and repeat fields disappear.
- The medication appears as available but not scheduled.
- Staff record an administration whenever they actually give it.
Date ranges in practice
- No end date — medication is ongoing until you end or remove it.
- End date set — medication automatically stops appearing after that date. Useful for short courses (antibiotics, post-op pain meds).
- Future start date — medication appears starting on that date. Useful for medications ordered now but beginning later.
Editing the schedule
To change a schedule, open the medication from the MAR Configuration tab, update the times, dates, or repeat options, and click Save and Close.
The change creates a new MAR version. Past doses keep the schedule that was in effect at the time; future doses use the new schedule.
Tips for clean scheduling
- Match the prescription label exactly. Don't round or simplify times.
- For meds that say "twice daily", pick specific times. "Twice daily" is open to interpretation. Pick specific times that fit your team's routine.
- Use end dates for short courses. Letting an antibiotic auto-stop is safer than relying on memory.
- Add notes for special instructions. "Give 30 minutes before meals" goes in the medication's Instructions field, not the schedule.
Common questions
- My schedule is more complex than these options. — "Every other day" is just Repeat every 2 days, and most patterns fit the repeat/weekday options. If yours doesn't, set up more than one medication entry, or talk to support.
- What if a dose is missed because no one was on shift? — Staff records it as Skipped with a reason. The schedule itself doesn't change.
- Can I set different schedules for weekdays vs. weekends? — You can pick which days the schedule applies to. For different times on different days, set up two medication entries, each for its set of days.
- Does the schedule respect time zones? — Yes. Schedules use the profile's timezone, set on the profile's location.