The 6 rights of medication administration are an essential part of a patient’s healthcare journey. This set of principles is used to safeguard the health and safety of patients receiving medications in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and other medical facilities.
The 6 rights provide a comprehensive framework for the safe delivery of medications, ensuring that each dose is accurate and administered correctly. Properly adhering to the 6 rights of medication administration protects patients from errors that could lead to adverse reactions and other medical complications.
Table of Contents
6 Rights of Medical Administration
The safe administration of medications is essential for patient safety and quality care in healthcare settings. To ensure that medications are administered safely, healthcare professionals must be familiar with the “6 rights” of medication administration. The 6 rights include the right patient, the right medication, the right dose, the right route, the right time, and documentation of the process.
- Right Patient
- Right medication
- Right Dose
- Right Route
- Right Time
- Right Documentation
1. Right Patient
This “right” aims to ensure that medications are given to the correct person receiving care. To achieve this, healthcare professionals must always double-check the patient’s name and other identifying information, such as birthdate or address, before administering medication.
2. Right Medication
The second “right” focuses on selecting the correct medication for the patient. This includes verifying the medication’s name, dosage form, and strength before administration. It is also essential to ensure that any medicines given to the patient do not dangerously interact with each other.
3. Right Dose
The third “right” is about ensuring that the correct dose of medication is given to the patient. This includes checking that the dose of the medication is appropriate for the patient’s age, weight, and diagnosis. The healthcare professional should also check orders from a physician or other healthcare provider before administering medication.
4. Right Route
The fourth “right” refers to the route of medication administration. The route chosen should be based on the patient’s age, medical condition, and diagnosis. It is essential to understand that different medications can be given using different routes, and it is up to the healthcare professional to decide which route is most appropriate for a particular patient.
5. Right Time
The fifth “right” is concerned with ensuring that medications are administered at the correct time and in the proper frequency. This means understanding how often a medication should be given as well as when it should be taken relative to meals or other medications.
6. Right Documentation
The final “right” is about documenting the administration of medications. This includes documenting any changes to a medication order and noting when and how the medication was given. Documentation should also include any adverse reactions the patient may have had to the medication.
What are the 10 Rights of Medication by Georgetown’s Department of Disability Services?
At Georgetown’s Department of Disability Services, we encourage our students and healthcare professionals to practice the 10 Rights of Medication Administration. These rights are essential for ensuring safe medication administration practices and can protect both patients and healthcare providers.
- Right Patient– Before giving a medication, ensure you administer it to the correct patient. To do this, you should ensure that patient identifiers match before administering medication.
- Right Medication– Always double-check the medication name, concentration, dose, and route to ensure you give the patient the correct medication.
- Right Dose– Make sure the dose is appropriate for the patient’s age, weight, and condition.
- Right Time– Administer medications at the correct intervals and times.
- Right Route– Administer medications in the way that is appropriate for each drug; this may include oral, topical, intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous routes.
- Right Education– Ensure the patient and caregivers understand how to take the medication, its purpose, potential side effects, and other pertinent information.
- Right to Refuse– Respect the patient’s right to refuse medication or treatment.
- Right Assessment– Monitor the patient for potential side effects or adverse reactions.
- Right Evaluation– Evaluate the effectiveness of any medications given and adjust the plan accordingly.
- Right Documentation: Document all medication administration thoroughly and accurately.
By practicing the 10 Rights of Medication Administration, healthcare professionals can ensure safe and accurate medication administration practices that protect patients and healthcare providers.
Final Words
The 6 rights of medication administration are essential in ensuring patients’ safe administration of medications. Healthcare professionals must understand and adhere to these rights to provide high-quality care and keep their patients safe.
By following these 6 Rs of medication administration, healthcare professionals can ensure they administer medications safely and effectively. This protects the patient and the healthcare professional from potential errors or complications.
References:
https://www.health.wa.gov.au/~/media/Files/Corporate/general-documents/safety/PDF/Medication-safety-resources/Six-rights.pdf
Mrs. Marie Brown has been a registered nurse for over 25 years. She began her nursing career at a Level I Trauma Center in downtown Chicago, Illinois. There she worked in the Emergency Department and on the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. After several years, she moved to the Midwest and continued her nursing career in a critical care setting. For the last 10 years of her nursing career, Mrs. Brown worked as a flight nurse with an air ambulance service. During this time, she cared for patients throughout the United States.