What is the primary purpose of medication reconciliation?

The primary purpose of medication reconciliation is to ensure that a patient's medication list is accurate and complete. This process involves comparing the medications that a patient is currently taking with the medications that are prescribed during a healthcare encounter, such as hospitalization, transfer, or discharge.

Accurate medication reconciliation is critical for preventing medication errors, which can lead to adverse drug events and patient harm. It helps identify discrepancies, such as omissions, duplications, or incorrect dosages, ensuring that the patient continues on the right medications without interruptions or confusion.

While enhancing the effectiveness of prescribed drugs, reducing medication costs, and speeding up discharge processes are valuable goals in patient care, they are secondary to the fundamental need for an accurate and comprehensive medication list. This foundational step is essential for safe and effective medication management.