Skip to main content
Version: 3.1

Medication Dispense

Definition

A medicine dispense in Care is the record of a medicine or a supply item that the pharmacy gives to a patient. The pharmacy gives the item from the facility's stock. A medicine dispense is separate from the medication request, which is the order.

Key Attributes

ComponentsWhat it captures
ItemThe inventory item that the pharmacy dispenses. This field is mandatory.
QuantityHow many units the pharmacy dispenses. This field is mandatory.
Days SupplyHow many days the quantity lasts. This field is optional.
LocationThe facility location that the pharmacy dispenses the item from. This field is mandatory.
Authorizing RequestThe medication request that this dispense fulfills. This field is optional.
StatusThe current state of the dispense. See Status below. This field is mandatory.
When Prepared / When Handed OverWhen the pharmacy prepared the item and handed it over. These fields are optional.
NoteFree text notes about the dispense. This field is optional.

Note: A dispense can belong to a Dispense Order. A Dispense Order groups the items that the pharmacy dispenses for a patient at one time. A Prescription groups medication requests in the same way. Care names a Dispense Order after the date and time of the dispense when the order has no name.

Status

StatusDescription
PreparationThe pharmacy prepares the item.
In ProgressThe dispense is in progress.
CompletedThe pharmacy hands over the item.
On HoldThe dispense is paused.
CancelledStaff cancel the dispense. Care restores the quantity to stock.
StoppedStaff stop the dispense. Care restores the quantity to stock.
DeclinedStaff decline the dispense. Care restores the quantity to stock.
Entered in ErrorStaff record the dispense by mistake. Care restores the quantity to stock.

Note: When you dispense from the Dispense History sub-tab of an encounter, Care sets the status to Completed.

Note: Care has no separate return action. To reverse a dispense and put the quantity back in stock, change its status to Cancelled, Stopped, Declined, or Entered in Error.

Permissions

PermissionWhat it allows
Medication Dispense ReadView dispense records. Facility Admin, Admin, Staff, Doctor, Nurse, and Pharmacist hold this permission.
Write Medication DispenseDispense an item, or change a dispense record. Facility Admin, Admin, Staff, Doctor, Nurse, and Pharmacist hold this permission.
Can Read Supply DeliveryView a Dispense Order. Facility Admin, Administrator, Admin, Staff, Doctor, Nurse, Volunteer, and Pharmacist hold this permission.
Can Create Supply Delivery on FacilityCreate or change a Dispense Order. Only Facility Admin and Admin hold this permission.