# Documenting Non-VA Medication Information for Complex Doses

When you start documenting non-VA medication information for a complex dose, you need to remain on the Complex tab until you click the Accept Order button. If you switch to the Dosage tab, all complex dosages will be erased.

To document Non-VA medication information for a complex dose, use the following steps:

1. Select the Meds tab and then, select on the Action menu in the toolbar.
2. Select Document Non-VA Meds from the Action menu.

   Note: If encounter information has not been entered, the encounter information dialog will appear. You must complete the encounter information dialog before proceeding.

3. In the Document Herbal/OTC/Non-VA Medications dialog, select the medication or herbal supplement from the dropdown. If you enter a few characters in the Name field, you will immediately see a list of names in the dropdown that contain those characters.
4. Select the Complex tab.
5. Enter the appropriate dosage in the Dosage field.

   Note: The dosage must begin with a numerical value (for example, 0.5). The dosage cannot begin with a decimal (for example, .5) and the ^ character is not allowed.

6. Enter a Route by either selecting a value from the dropdown or entering a value.
7. Select a value from the Schedule dropdown. Check the PRN checkbox, if necessary.
8. In the Duration field, enter a numeric value and select the units a patient should use for the specified dose (day is the default).
9. In the add/then dropdown, select a direction and a conjunction (no conjunction on the final line).

   Note: If you select the “then” conjunction, you are required to add a duration.

10. In the next row, enter a dosage in the Dosage field.
11. If necessary, change the values in the Route and Schedule fields.
12. In the add/then dropdown, enter a duration and a conjunction (no conjunction on the final line).
13. Repeat steps 5 through 12 until you have completed the complex dose.

    Note: To add a row, click on the area where you want to place the new row and then, click on the Insert Row button. To remove a row, click on the row to be deleted and then, click on the Remove Row button.

14. Enter an Indication (optional). If indications are defined, they will display in the drop-down list or you may type in an indication.
15. Add a comment (optional).
16. Select one or more Statements/Explanations as to why the patient is taking the medication or supplement (optional).
17. Enter a Start Date, if known. A Start Date can be a date in the past.
18. Review the information entered in the textbook at the end of the dialog.
19. Click the Accept Order button.
20. (Conditional) If the non-VA medication may be contraindicated because of allergies, drug interactions, or duplicate orders, CPRS will display the Order Check window. Carefully review all order checks and either click the Accept Order button or the Cancel Order button.
21. When you finish documenting non-VA medications, click the Quit button.

    Note: Non-VA Meds do not require an electronic signature. At the end of the current CPRS session, you will see the Review/Sign Changes window and will be able to click on the OK or Cancel button without signing the order. After you click the OK button, you may see the Order Checks screen if there is a potential conflict between a non-VA med and an existing inpatient or outpatient order.

Related topics

Non-VA Medications (Overview)

Documenting Non-VA Medication Information for Simple Doses