What it means
A safety process done on admission, on transfer between units and at discharge. The nurse or pharmacist builds the most complete list possible of everything the client takes (prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and herbal products, with doses and times) and checks it against the new orders. Omissions, duplicates, wrong doses and interactions are then resolved with the prescriber.
For the nurse
Ask the client and family to bring all their medicine bottles, and ask specifically about inhalers, eye drops, patches, injections and supplements. Give the client an updated list at discharge.
At a glance
| Also written | med rec, medication reconciliations |
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Related terms
adherence
How closely a client follows a treatment plan they have agreed to, such as taking medicines as prescribed.
electronic health record
A digital version of a client's medical record that the care team can read and update on a computer.
medication error
A preventable mistake at any step of prescribing, preparing, giving or monitoring a medicine, whether or not it causes harm.
pharmacist
A licensed health professional who prepares and dispenses medicines and advises on their safe use.