Recording a dose retrospectively (given but not logged)

For doses that were administered correctly but the recording didn't happen at the time.

Retrospective recording is for the case where the dose was given at the right time but you didn't get to a phone or tablet to record it until later. It's NOT a way to back-date a missed dose.

Retrospective vs missed — pick the right one

Scenario

Use

Dose was given correctly, you're recording it later

Retrospective

Dose wasn't given (forgotten, refused, supported person asleep)

Missed (code 5) or Refused (code 3)

Dose was given outside the scheduled window deliberately

Off-schedule

Recording retrospectively

  1. Click the missed (red) cell, or any past dose.

  2. The recorder offers Record retrospectively.

  3. Enter the actual time you gave the dose.

  4. Pick the outcome (usually Given).

  5. Add a reason — why is the recording happening late?

  6. Submit.

What's captured

  • Actual administration time — what you put in the form.

  • Entered-at time — when you actually saved the recording.

  • Reason for retrospective entry — your free-text explanation.

  • Violet "Late" badge — visible on the timeline so auditors can see the gap.

Approval modes

Same three-mode pattern as off-schedule:

  • None — no approval needed.

  • Non-blocking (default) — recorded immediately, approval queued for later review.

  • Blocking — held in approvals queue until a manager approves.

Heads up — Retrospective recordings are visible in audits with the gap between actual administration and entry. Frequent retrospective entries from a single carer flag a process problem (e.g. no charging point for the tablet during the night shift) — not an audit risk. Talk to your manager about fixing the root cause.

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