What it means
A safety check done before every dose. The core five are right client, right drug, right dose, right route and right time. Many lists add right documentation, right reason, right response and the client's right to refuse, so textbooks speak of six, eight or more rights. Following them does not prevent every error, so they are used along with barcode scanning and the three label checks.
For the nurse
Use two client identifiers, such as name and date of birth, never the room number. Check the label against the order three times: when taking the drug out, when preparing it and at the bedside.
At a glance
| Also written | medication rights, rights of medication |
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Related terms
medication error
A preventable mistake at any step of prescribing, preparing, giving or monitoring a medicine, whether or not it causes harm.