Medicines Reconcillation as a Route for Medicines Optimisation & Patient Safety

Question 1

What is medicines reconcillation?

Answer 1

It is the process of obtaining an up to date and accurate medication list to compare to recent available information, documenting any changes, differences, deletions/additions, etc.

Question 2

What is the purpose of medicines reconcillation?

Answer 2

1. Make sure patient receives correct drugs
2. Reduce drug errors
3. Improve service efficiency

Question 3

What are some examples of transfer points, where a patients drug records may need to be transferred?

Answer 3

1. A patient admitted/discharged to/from hospital
2. A patient transferring from one hospital to another
3. A patient moving into residential care

Question 4

What are some problems that may arise if medicines have not been updated on a patients drug record?

Answer 4

1. Patient may receive wrong dose/drug
2. Treatment delays
3. Greater risk of drug interactions
4. Extended stays in hospital
5. Time wasting

Question 5

What are some benefits of medicine reconciliation?

Answer 5

1. Reduction of errors/adverse events
2. Better communication between healthcare professionals
3. Improved record keeping & time availability
4. Reduction of waste and duplication of effort

Question 6

What are the 3 C’s in medicine reconcillation?

Answer 6

1. Collecting - computer print outs of records, medical notes, drugs brought in by patients, drug reminder cards
2. Checking
3. Communicating - any changes are documented/dated ready to be communicated, e.g. change in drug/treatment/route/dose/frequency