Medication Reconciliation: A Key to Safe and Effective Care

What is Medication Reconciliation?

Medication reconciliation is the process of creating an accurate and comprehensive list of all medications a patient is taking—including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements. The goal is to identify discrepancies and prevent medication errors, particularly during transitions between healthcare settings, such as hospital discharge or a change in care plans. This process ensures the healthcare team and the patient are aligned on the medications needed, their correct dosages, and timing.

Why is Medication Reconciliation Critical?

Medication errors, including omissions, duplications, and incorrect dosages, are a leading cause of preventable adverse events in healthcare. The Mayo Clinic highlights that these errors can occur at any stage—from prescription to administration—and can cause severe harm if left unaddressed. Regular reconciliation helps prevent these mistakes and ensures continuity of care across various healthcare providers.

According to research from Harvard, medication discrepancies are common during transitions of care, such as discharge from a hospital, leading to higher risks of hospital readmissions and adverse drug events (ADEs). Timely and thorough reconciliation ensures medications are appropriately adjusted, avoiding dangerous interactions or missed doses, which can impact treatment outcomes.

Impact of Missed or Delayed Reconciliation

If medication reconciliation is not performed promptly, the consequences can be severe:

• Adverse Drug Events (ADEs): ADEs are responsible for hundreds of thousands of emergency room visits annually.

• Hospital Readmissions: Medication errors during care transitions account for many hospital readmissions within 30 days of discharge, significantly increasing healthcare costs.

• Patient Harm and Mortality: According to Mayo Clinic findings, even seemingly minor errors—such as overlapping medications—can have life-threatening consequences, such as overdoses or serious drug interactions.

The Harvard Medical School emphasizes that multidisciplinary collaboration is essential for effective medication reconciliation, involving providers, pharmacists, and patients to minimize risks.

Current State: Facts and Figures

Studies show that only about 50-70% of healthcare organizations perform reconciliation consistently across care transitions. According to research published by Harvard, incomplete reconciliation contributes to the high number of medication-related errors and avoidable readmissions. Additionally, the lack of a standardized approach remains a barrier in many healthcare settings, creating challenges for both providers and patients to manage medications effectively.

How OnCare360 Ensures Medication Reconciliation

OnCare360 integrates seamless workflows to ensure that medication reconciliation happens accurately and efficiently:

• During Transitions of Care: The platform prompts care teams to reconcile medications when patients move between care settings, such as from hospital to outpatient care.

• With Care Plan Updates: Medication lists are automatically flagged for review whenever care plans are modified.

• At Annual Wellness Visits (AWV): OnCare360 ensures that medication reviews are part of every wellness visit, providing an opportunity for physicians to reassess treatment regimens.

• Real-Time Alerts: The platform generates alerts for potential discrepancies, helping care teams intervene early to prevent errors.

With OnCare360, healthcare providers can improve medication safety, reduce readmissions, and deliver coordinated care to their patients.

References

1. Reducing the Risk of Medication Errors – Mayo Clinic

2. Best Practices for Medication Reconciliation – Harvard Medical School