Stock counts

How to record a physical stock count and what happens when the count disagrees with the running balance.

A stock check is a physical count — open the cupboard, count what's there, and record it as a stock_check movement. Carerealm uses the most recent stock_check entry as a baseline for the running balance going forward.

How to record a count

  1. Open eMAR → Stock.

  2. Click New movement.

  3. Pick the medication. Set movement type = Stock check.

  4. Type the actual physical count you've just made.

  5. Notes — record who counted, who verified, any discrepancy from the system balance and the likely cause.

  6. Save.

Discrepancies

If your physical count doesn't match the system's running balance, don't silently submit the corrected count and move on. Investigate first:

  • Was a recent administration recorded as the wrong dose?

  • Was a disposal not recorded?

  • Was a returned-to-pharmacy event missed?

  • Could there have been a miscount in the last count?

Fix the root cause where you can (correct the wrong administration, add the missed disposal). When everything that should be recorded has been recorded, submit the stock_check with the actual count.

Heads up — Persistent discrepancies on controlled drugs are a serious matter — they need to be reported to your manager and, if the gap can't be explained, to the accountable officer and potentially the police. Don't paper over a CD stock gap.

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