The hospital maintains and communicates accurate patient medication information.

(1)

The hospital obtains information on the medications the patient is currently taking when they are admitted to the hospital or are seen in an outpatient setting. This information is documented in a list or other format that is useful to those who manage medications. Note 1: Current medications include those taken at scheduled times and those taken on an as-needed basis. See the Glossary for a definition of medications. Note 2: It is often difficult to obtain complete information on current medications from a patient. A good faith effort to obtain this information from the patient and/or other sources will be considered as meeting the intent of the EP.

(2)

The hospital defines the types of medication information (for example, name, dose, route, frequency, purpose) to be collected in non-24-hour settings. Note: Examples of non-24-hour settings include the emergency department, primary care, outpatient radiology, ambulatory surgery, and diagnostic settings.

(3)

The hospital compares the medication information the patient brought to the hospital with the medications ordered for the patient by the hospital in order to identify and resolve discrepancies. Note: Discrepancies include omissions, duplications, contraindications, unclear information, and changes. A qualified individual, identified by the hospital, does the comparison.

(4)

The hospital provides the patient (or family, caregiver, or support person as needed) with written information on the medications the patient should be taking when they are discharged from the hospital or at the end of an outpatient encounter (for example, name, dose, route, frequency, purpose).

(5)

The hospital explains the importance of managing medication information to the patient when they are discharged from the hospital or at the end of an outpatient encounter. Note: Examples include instructing the patient to give a list to their primary care provider; to update the information when medications are discontinued, doses are changed, or new medications (including over-the-counter products) are added; and to carry medication information at all times in the event of emergency situations. (For information on patient education on medications, refer to Standards MM.16.01.01, PC.12.02.01, and PC.14.01.01.)