Medication reconciliation: the priority that isn't.
Medication reconciliation is a crucial step in safe care, but it is often done inconsistently or inadequately, or missed altogether. This can be dangerous and even deadly for patients, and expensive for the system. In this article, the authors discuss the current status of medication reconciliation in Canada, barriers to its implementation and steps healthcare organizations across the country are taking to introduce medication reconciliation. They conclude by outlining ways that provincial and territorial governments could re-energize work on medication reconciliation.
President, Coutts Communicates, Ottawa.
Jane
J
Coutts
Project leader, Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada, Toronto.
Marg
M
Colquhoun
Lead, medication reconciliation, Canadian Patient Safety Institute, Edmonton.
Marie
M
Owen
President of Drenth Consultants Inc., Toronto.
Bernita
B
Drenth
D002170:Canada; D006292:Health Priorities; D006801:Humans; D059065:Medication Reconciliation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D061214:Patient Safety