What is the purpose of a medication reconciliation?

The purpose of medication reconciliation is fundamentally centered around ensuring patient safety when patients transition between different care settings or levels of service. This process involves systematically reviewing and comparing a patient's complete medication list, which often includes prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and dietary supplements, at various points of care—such as when a patient is admitted to a hospital, transferred to another unit, or discharged.

The goal is to prevent inadvertent medication errors, such as omissions, duplications, dosing errors, or drug interactions that could occur during these transitions. By conducting medication reconciliation, healthcare providers can confirm that the medications being taken match the medications that are intended to be prescribed, effectively enhancing the quality of patient care and minimizing potential harm.

In contrast, other options might touch on relevant tasks within the medication management process but do not encompass the primary focus of medication reconciliation, which is the thorough evaluation and verification of medication plans in order to safeguard patients as they navigate through the healthcare system.