Settings: Administration buffers

How long before and after a scheduled time the recorder accepts on-time recordings.

Administration buffers define the window around a scheduled dose where the recorder treats it as "on time". Set them in eMAR → More → Settings → Timing & Buffers.

The three buffer settings

Setting

Default

Effect

Buffer before

30 minutes

How early before the scheduled time the dose can be recorded as on-time. Earlier = needs off-schedule.

Buffer after

120 minutes

How late after the scheduled time the dose still shows as Due-now (amber). After this, the cell flips to Missed (red).

Missed-notification delay

30 minutes

How long after the after-buffer expires before the missed-dose alert fires to nominated people.

Per-medication overrides

Some medications have wider windows (e.g. a slow-release one that can sensibly be given over a 4-hour spread). Override the defaults on the medication record with off_schedule_buffer_before_override_minutes and off_schedule_buffer_after_override_minutes.

Heads up — Don't set the realm-wide buffers too wide. A 4-hour buffer means a 4-hour delay before the cell goes red. Use per-medication overrides for the few medications that need them.

Last updated 21 May 2026 · by eMAR migration · Suggest a feature or change to this article
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