What are the "five rights" of medication administration?

The "five rights" of medication administration are essential principles that ensure the safe and effective delivery of medications to patients. The correct formulation includes right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, and right time. This framework helps healthcare providers avoid potential errors that could lead to adverse effects or lack of therapeutic benefit.

Each component addresses a critical aspect of medication safety:

• Right patient ensures that the medication is administered to the correct individual, thereby preventing mix-ups that could arise in a healthcare setting with multiple patients.

• Right medication confirms that the specific medication prescribed is the one being given, which is crucial since many medications can sound or look alike.

• Right dose relates to the quantity of the medication administered; this is important for both efficacy and avoiding overdose or underdose.

• Right route refers to the method of administration (oral, intravenous, intramuscular, etc.), which can significantly affect how the medication works in the body.

• Right time ensures that the medication is given at the appropriate intervals to maintain effective drug levels in the body.

By adhering to these five rights, medication technicians and other healthcare professionals can help significantly reduce the risk of medication errors and enhance patient safety.