What is the purpose of medication reconciliation on admission?

• A. To identify and resolve discrepancies between prescribed meds and actual medications
• B. To speed up medication administration
• C. To determine patient's dietary restrictions
• D. To forecast future hospital stay length

Answer: (A)

Medication reconciliation on admission focuses on ensuring safe, accurate continuation of a patient’s therapy by reconciling what they have been taking with what is ordered in the hospital. This involves gathering a complete and current med list from the patient, family, and previous providers; checking details like name, dose, route, and schedule; identifying discrepancies such as omissions, duplications, dosing errors, or potential interactions; resolving these with the care team; and updating the chart with any changes, including allergies. By doing this at admission, the goal is to prevent medication errors and adverse drug events as the patient moves through the hospital. It’s not primarily about speeding administration, determining dietary restrictions, or predicting how long the stay will be.