What should be conducted during medication reconciliation?

Medication reconciliation is a critical process aimed at ensuring that a patient's medication list is accurate and comprehensive. This involves checking for discrepancies in medications, which can include differences in dosages, medication changes, or even omissions. Identifying these discrepancies helps to prevent medication errors, ensuring that the resident receives the correct medications and dosages.

During medication reconciliation, healthcare providers review the medications a resident is currently taking against those that have been prescribed. This process aims to establish an accurate medication list, thereby enhancing patient safety and optimizing therapeutic outcomes. By closely examining any discrepancies, healthcare professionals can make informed decisions regarding medication management and adjustments that may be necessary to improve the resident's care.

Other aspects such as assessing mood, evaluating nutritional status, or conducting safety inspections of the medication room, while important in overall patient care, do not directly relate to the primary objective of medication reconciliation. Thus, checking for discrepancies in medications is the essential component of this practice.