Medication Safety Check

Complete before medication administration.

  • Industry: Healthcare
  • Frequency: Each medication pass
  • Estimated Time: 5-10 minutes per patient
  • Role: Nurse
  • Total Items: 31
  • Compliance: Joint Commission NPSG, State Board of Nursing, ISMP Guidelines

Five Rights of Medication

Verify the 5 Rights.

  • Right Patient (2 identifiers verified)?
  • Right Medication?
  • Right Dose?
  • Right Route?
  • Right Time?

Additional Safety Checks

Additional verification.

  • Allergies verified?
  • Drug interactions reviewed?
  • Medication not expired?
  • Documentation completed?

Pre-Assessment Information

Initial assessment documentation and patient/facility identification

  • Assessor Name / Credentials
  • Assessment Date
  • Department / Unit
  • Assessment Type (Routine/Annual/Complaint)
  • Previous assessment findings reviewed?

Infection Prevention & Control

Verify infection control practices per CDC and Joint Commission standards

  • Hand hygiene compliance observed?
  • Appropriate PPE available and properly used?
  • Isolation precautions properly implemented?
  • Sharps containers available and not overfilled?
  • High-touch surfaces properly disinfected?

Patient Safety & Identification

Verify patient safety protocols and identification procedures

  • Two patient identifiers used before procedures?
  • Fall risk assessment completed?
  • Call light within patient reach?
  • Bed in lowest position with brakes locked?

Medication Safety & Management

Verify medication handling and administration practices

  • Medications stored securely and at proper temperature?
  • Controlled substances properly secured and counted?
  • No expired medications in stock?
  • High-alert medications properly labeled?

Environment of Care & Safety

Verify facility environment meets safety standards

  • Fire exits clear and unobstructed?
  • Emergency equipment functional and accessible?
  • Spill kits available and stocked?
  • Electrical cords and outlets in safe condition?

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Why Use This Medication Safety Check?

This medication safety check helps healthcare teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for nurse professionals, this checklist covers 31 critical inspection points across 7 sections. Recommended frequency: each medication pass.

Ensures compliance with Joint Commission NPSG, State Board of Nursing, ISMP Guidelines. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Medication Safety Check cover?

This checklist covers 31 inspection items across 7 sections: Five Rights of Medication, Additional Safety Checks, Pre-Assessment Information, Infection Prevention & Control, Patient Safety & Identification, Medication Safety & Management, Environment of Care & Safety. It is designed for healthcare operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed each medication pass. Each completion takes approximately 5-10 minutes per patient.

Who should use this Medication Safety Check?

This checklist is designed for Nurse professionals in the healthcare industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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