What is the purpose of using a medication reconciliation process during patient admission?

The purpose of using a medication reconciliation process during patient admission is primarily to prevent medication errors and ensure patient safety. This systematic review and comparison of a patient’s current medication regimen with the medications being prescribed upon admission help to identify any discrepancies, potential drug interactions, or contraindications. By reconciling medications, healthcare providers can catch errors such as omissions, duplications, dosing errors, or drug interactions that may have been overlooked during the transition of care, whether from home to hospital or between different healthcare settings.

This process is crucial in promoting safe medication practices and enhancing the overall quality of care, thereby reducing the risk of adverse drug events. It involves engaging in open communication with patients about their medication histories, which is essential for accurate prescribing and safe patient outcomes.

The other options, while they touch on aspects of medication management, do not capture the critical safety focus that medication reconciliation aims to achieve. The reconciliation process is not primarily intended to reduce costs, increase the prescribing power of nurses, or streamline billing; rather, its core function is dedicated to patient safety and the correct management of medications throughout the care continuum.