AACN joins call for system-wide programs for medication reconciliation

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) added its bold voice to hospital healthcare leaders by endorsing a white paper that calls for system-wide programs for medication reconciliation — the process of verifying that current patient medications are correct, medically safe and necessary.

"Making Inpatient Medication Reconciliation Patient Centered, Clinically Relevant and Implementable: A Consensus Statement on Key Principles and Necessary First Steps" appears in October's Journal of Hospital Medicine. It outlines 10 key areas to progress medication reconciliation, including:

•Uniformly accepted definitions of medication and reconciliation
•Clearly defined roles of multidisciplinary participants in reconciliation
•Clinically meaningful reconciliation processes
•Comprehensive reconciliation across the continuum of care
•Mechanisms to prospectively and proactively identify patients
•Research to identify effective processes
•Dissemination of medication reconciliation strategies
•Integrated personal health records that transfer easily between care sites
•Healthcare and community-based partnerships
•Healthcare payment structures that align with medication safety goals

Among the organizations that endorsed the pivotal white paper: the American Academy of Pediatrics, Consumers Advancing Patient Safety, Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Institute for Safe Medication Practices and The Joint Commission.

Medication reconciliation is a key factor for improving patient safety. AACN Clinical Practice Manager Robi Hellman, RN, MSN, CNS, notes the implications of reducing medication-related errors at the point of care.

"Medication reconciliation prevents healthcare professionals from inadvertently giving, changing or omitting medications to patients. It also makes sure that medication changes get communicated to all those involved in patient care," she explains.