| Medication 'Rights' | Blurb |
|---|---|
| Right Person | Ensure the medication is being given to the correct person by verifying their identity. It is recommended that providers use 2 identifiers, such as the person’s name, a photograph, date of birth, or a valid form of ID against their medication record. |
| Right Medication | Confirm the medication is exactly as prescribed by comparing it to the person’s prescription, the pharmacy label, and Medication Administration Record (MAR). |
| Right Dose | Verify the correct dose of the medication, including units (e.g., milligrams or millilitres), and double-check any calculations if the dose is not pre-measured. Staff must also check the decimal point to prevent errors when preparing or administering medication. |
| Right Time | Administer the medication at the correct time as prescribed, considering factors such as mealtimes, intervals in between doses, and time of day (e.g., morning or bedtime). Policies should be in place for PRN medicines, delayed or early doses, and managing time critical medications. |
| Right Route | Confirm the correct route of administration (e.g., oral, topical, subcutaneous) and ensure the proper technique is used. Additionally, it is important to ensure the person is in the appropriate position for the method of administration, such as sitting upright for oral medications to prevent choking. |
| Right to Refuse | People have the right to refuse medication, even if doing so could affect their health. Care providers must respect this choice, ensuring that the person fully understands the potential consequences, and explore the reasons behind their decision. Proper documentation of the refusal is essential, and the relevant healthcare professionals should be informed, such as the GP or prescribing clinician. This approach ensures the individual's continued well-being while also supporting their autonomy. |
| Right Reason | Understand the reason for a medication and ensure it aligns with the individual’s needs and medical conditions as outlined in their care plan. Administering medication without understanding the reason for it can lead to unnecessary or inappropriate interventions being given, adverse reactions, dosage errors, and ethical or legal issues. Knowing the purpose of a medication also helps staff to monitor whether the desired outcome is being achieved or if the regime requires adjustment. |
| Right Documentation | Accurately document the administration immediately after giving the medication, including time, dose, route and any specific observations or concerns as necessary. Each record should be complete (with no gaps), legible, accurate and concise, avoiding abbreviations and medical jargon. |
| Additional Checks to Support Good Practice: Right Response/Outcome | Monitor the individual for the desired effect of the medication and any adverse reactions. Doing so ensures that the medication achieves its intended effect. For example, if a pain relief medication has been given, the right response would be a noticeable reduction in the patient's pain. Staff should monitor and document the patient's response to the medication, noting any improvements or adverse effects. If the medication is not tolerated, or if it seems ineffective, this must trigger a timely request for the person’s medication to be reviewed by their GP or prescribing clinician. |
