What Is the Purpose of the 5 Rights of Medication Management?
When it comes to medication safety, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and patients must take steps to ensure drugs are given and used appropriately. To limit the risk of error, health care professionals follow “The Five Rights of Medication Management.” These provide a comprehensive checklist of items that should be verified before a prescription is filled or administered. Committed to proper medication management, Westland Health Mart Pharmacy in De Soto, MO, highlights how these guidelines are followed and what they mean for patient safety.
All About the 5 Rights of Medication Management
What Are the 5 Rights?
Each “right” refers to an element of a prescription that must be correct before given to a patient. Specifically, healthcare professionals must make sure the:
- Right medication is being used for the situation.
- Right person receives the prescription.
- Right dose is used.
- Right time for administration is listed in the instructions.
- Right route for administration — orally, injection, etc. — is given.
Why Are the 5 Rights Important?
Nearly 700,000 emergency room visits occur each year due to adverse drug events. That’s why the FDA and health care industry have developed several programs — such as the Five Rights — to avoid errors whenever drugs are prescribed, packaged, dispensed, and administered. Due to the simplicity of these guidelines, professionals in various environments can apply them ease and reduce the likelihood of miscommunication between providers, pharmacists, and patients.
How Do Pharmacies Verify Prescriptions?
Pharmacists combined specialized expertise and advanced technology to adhere to the Five Rights of Medication Management. Barcode labeling, for instance, allows specialists to quickly scan in drugs and pull up information that relates to patient safety. With an understanding of the patient and the condition being treated, pharmacists can verify that the correct medication is being used.
A trusted pharmacy is the key to providing optimal health care. Located in De Soto, MO, Westland Health Mart Pharmacy offers community-focused service to ensure you feel confident about your treatment. In addition to fast refills and in-depth consultation, this drugstore can help you get the most of your care through their prescription synchronization and specialty medication services. You can learn more about these medication management services online or by calling a friendly neighborhood pharmacist at (636) 337-1761.
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