What is the purpose of medication reconciliation?

The purpose of medication reconciliation is primarily to ensure accurate medication lists at transitions of care. This process involves comparing a patient's medication orders to all of the medications that the patient has been taking, which is crucial during any changes in their care setting, such as during hospital admissions, transfers between facilities, or discharges. These transitions can lead to medication errors, including omissions, duplications, or incorrect dosages, which can significantly affect patient safety.

By accurately reconciling medications, healthcare providers can identify and resolve discrepancies, prevent adverse drug events, and ensure continuity of care. This process fosters improved communication among providers and between providers and patients, leading to better health outcomes.

While maintaining stock inventory, helping patients remember to take their medications, and budgeting for medication purchases are certainly important aspects of medication management, they do not specifically address the critical process of ensuring that medication lists are accurate at the various transitions in patient care.