What is a medication reconciliation, and why is it important?

Medication reconciliation is a systematic process aimed at reviewing and verifying a patient’s complete medication list to ensure accuracy and prevent potential medication errors. It involves comparing the patient's current medications to those prescribed during transitions of care, such as from hospital to home health services or from one healthcare provider to another. This process helps to identify discrepancies, such as omissions, duplications, or inaccurate dosing, and allows healthcare providers to clarify and correct medication orders.

The importance of medication reconciliation lies in its ability to enhance patient safety. It reduces the risk of adverse drug events, which can occur due to conflicting medications or dosage errors. Additionally, through effective reconciliation, healthcare providers can improve therapeutic outcomes and foster better communication between various healthcare settings, ensuring that patients receive appropriate and effective treatment.

The other options do not fully encompass the scope and significance of medication reconciliation. Compiling a list of treatments during hospitalization focuses solely on documenting services provided rather than ensuring medication accuracy. Performing this task only at discharge neglects the continuous nature of medication management needed throughout the patient's care journey. Documenting non-compliance with prescriptions does not address the proactive measures that medication reconciliation aims to achieve in promoting safe and effective patient care.