Which process ensures medications are delivered safely and correctly to the patient?

Medication verification is a critical process that ensures medications are delivered safely and correctly to the patient. This step involves checking and confirming that the right medication is being administered to the right patient, in the right dose, at the right time, and via the right route. This systematic check minimizes the risk of medication errors, which can arise from factors such as miscommunication, mislabeling, or misunderstandings about a patient’s medical history or current medications.

This process also emphasizes the importance of double-checking prescriptions against the patient's medication administration record and verifying patient information before dispensing or administering the medication. Such diligence is essential in healthcare settings to promote patient safety and enhance therapeutic outcomes.

While other processes such as medication distribution, communication, and explanation lay important groundwork for medication safety, they do not encompass the thorough verification needed to confirm that each aspect of the medication is correct before it reaches the patient. Hence, medication verification stands out as the key process specifically aimed at ensuring safe and correct delivery of medications.