What is medication reconciliation?

• A. The process of refilling medications automatically at discharge.
• B. A financial audit of drug costs.
• C. The process of creating the most accurate list of a patient’s medications and comparing it with current orders to prevent errors.
• D. A procedure to discontinue all medications at discharge.

Answer: (C)

Medication reconciliation is the process of creating the most accurate list of a patient’s medications and comparing it with current orders to prevent errors. It starts by gathering a complete and up-to-date medication list from the patient, family, and other sources, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. This list is then checked against the clinician’s orders, allergies, and current health conditions. Any discrepancies—such as a missing medication, an extra duplicate, a dose that’s too high or too low, or a potential interaction—are identified and resolved by updating the orders and communicating changes to the entire care team and the patient. This practice is especially crucial during transitions of care, like admission, transfer between departments, and discharge, to ensure continuity and safety. It helps prevent adverse drug events, dosing errors, and harmful interactions.

Not about automatically refilling medications, not a financial audit, and not a process to discontinue all medications at discharge.