What process is important for ensuring medication safety according to Goal 8?

Accurately reconciling medications is a critical process for ensuring medication safety, particularly within the context of Goal 8, which focuses on minimizing the risk of patient harm related to medication use. Medication reconciliation involves comparing a patient's current medication orders to all of the medications that the patient has been taking. This is essential during transitions of care, such as when a patient is admitted, transferred, or discharged.

The goal of medication reconciliation is to ensure that patients receive the correct medications and dosages in a timely manner, avoiding discrepancies that can lead to adverse drug events. By carefully reviewing and reconciling medications, healthcare providers can identify and resolve potential medication errors, such as omissions, duplications, dosing errors, or drug interactions.

This process is crucial for maintaining continuity of care, enhancing communication among healthcare providers, and making sure that the patient and their family are informed about medication changes, which also empowers them to be active participants in their own healthcare. In summary, accurate medication reconciliation is a fundamental step in promoting medication safety and achieving better health outcomes for patients.