What is medication reconciliation?

Medication reconciliation refers to the systematic process of comparing a patient's current medication regimen to what has been prescribed to ensure consistency and safety. This process is crucial for identifying discrepancies, such as discrepancies between prescribed medications and what the patient is actually taking at home. It helps in preventing medication errors, ensuring that the patient receives optimal therapy, and improving overall medication management.

By focusing on alignment between the patient's actual intake and the prescribed medications, healthcare providers can address issues such as duplicate therapies, omissions, or interactions that could lead to adverse effects. Conducting thorough medication reconciliation is vital during transitions of care, such as hospital admissions, discharges, or transfers, to minimize risks and optimize patient outcomes. Other aspects like updating insurance information, assessing therapy effectiveness, or reviewing allergies, while important aspects of patient care, do not specifically represent the process of medication reconciliation.