What stage of healthcare is medication reconciliation most commonly associated with?

Medication reconciliation is most commonly associated with Transitions of Care, such as admissions or discharges. This process is critical during these transitions because patients often experience changes in their medication regimens—either due to new prescriptions, dosage adjustments, or previously ordered medications that may be discontinued.

Implementing medication reconciliation in these situations helps to ensure continuity of care and reduces the risk of medication errors. It involves comparing the patient's current medication list with the medications that are intended to be prescribed during their stay in a facility or upon discharge. This is essential for maintaining accurate medication information, avoiding adverse drug events, and providing optimal patient safety as they move between different levels of care or healthcare settings.

While routine check-ups, point of sale transactions, and policy formulation play roles in healthcare delivery, they do not specifically focus on the critical transitional moments where medication reconciliation is necessary to manage potential discrepancies effectively.