time, and right route. Five additional rights include the right assessment, docu-
mentation, education, evaluation, and the right to refuse.
RIGHT PATIENT
The right patient means that the healthcare provider gives the drug to the right
patient. Each time a drug is administered, the healthcare provider must verify
who the patient is by the patient’s identification bracelet. This is the preferred
method as opposed to identifying a patient by asking his or her name. Some
patients will answer “yes” to any name and two patients can have similar-
sounding names or the same name. Some patients are not mentally alert and do
not remember their name. Again, check the patient’s identification every time
medication is administered.
RIGHT DRUG
Healthcare providers must be sure that the drug is the correct medication for the
patient. This too leads to errors. Healthcare providers ask: Was this the drug pre-
scribed on the medication order? Is the medication order legible and complete?
Why is the patient receiving this medication? Is the medication consistent with
the patient’s condition? Does the patient have any food or drug allergies?
Providers check the expiration date and return the medication to the phar-
macy if it has expired. If the medication is used past the expiration date, the
effect on the patient can be unpredictable.
Healthcare providers check the medication label three times before adminis-
tering the drug. First, when they take the medication from the shelf or drawer.
Next, the label should be checked before pouring the drug, and third it is
checked after pouring the drug before throwing away the drug packaging.
RIGHT DOSE
The dose on the medication order must be within recommended guidelines. The
healthcare provider should have a general idea of the dose before performing
any drug calculations. If the calculated dose varies too much from this estimated
dose, check with a pharmacist or another appropriate healthcare provider. Some
drug calculations should always be checked by two individuals if the calculation
is complicated or the drug has the potential to be harmful if the dose is too large
or too small. Medications that are wrapped and labeled or pre-filled for the exact
dose are preferred and can reduce errors.
CHAPTER 1 An Inside Look at Pharmacology^17