The concept of the “Seven Rights of Medication Administration” is a set of guidelines intended to help healthcare providers administer medications in a safe and effective manner. These seven rights are crucial for reducing medication errors and enhancing patient safety. Here are the seven rights:
- Right Medication: Ensure that the medication being administered is the correct one as prescribed for the patient.
- Right Patient: Confirm the identity of the patient receiving the medication to prevent administering the medication to the wrong individual.
- Right Dosage: Check that the dose administered is the dose prescribed. This includes calculating the correct amount, particularly for children or medications that require adjustments based on specific patient factors like kidney function.
- Right Route: Ensure the medication is being administered by the correct route (e.g., oral, intravenous, topical).
- Right Time: Administer the medication at the correct time, which includes considering the timing in relation to food, other medications, or activities and adhering to the prescribed frequency (e.g., every 8 hours).
- Right Documentation: Accurately document the administration of the medication in the patient’s medical records to ensure a continuous record of all medications administered and any observations relevant to ongoing care.
- Right Reason: Confirm that the medication is being given for the correct indication as prescribed.
These rights are fundamental in nursing practice and other health professions that involve medication management, and they serve as a checklist to prevent errors throughout the medication administration process.