What is the best definition of medication reconciliation?

Medication reconciliation is best defined as the process of comparing a patient's medication orders to their current medications. This critical process involves reviewing the patient's medication list, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements, to ensure that there are no discrepancies or potential interactions that could impact the patient's treatment. The goal is to provide safe and effective care by confirming that the medications a patient is taking align with what is prescribed during their hospital stay or follow-up care.

This meticulous comparison helps to prevent medication errors such as omissions, duplications, dosing errors, or drug interactions, particularly during transitions of care—when patients move between different healthcare settings. By ensuring that the medication list is accurate and complete, healthcare providers can optimize therapeutic outcomes and enhance patient safety.

Other choices relate to different aspects of medication management but do not capture the essence of reconciliation. For instance, dispensing medications involves providing drugs to patients and tracking inventory focuses on managing supplies rather than individual patient needs. Approving new medication orders pertains to the initial authorization process and does not encompass the vital comparative assessment central to medication reconciliation.