Medication Administration Safety Checklist
This medication administration safety checklist ensures compliance with the Five Rights of medication administration and institutional safety protocols. Complete before and during each medication pass to prevent medication errors, verify high-alert drug safeguards, and document patient education. Required by Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals.
- Industry: Healthcare
- Frequency: Each medication pass
- Estimated Time: 5-10 minutes per patient
- Role: Registered Nurse / Medication Nurse / Charge Nurse
- Total Items: 22
- Compliance: Joint Commission NPSG, ISMP Guidelines, CMS Medication Management, State Board of Nursing
Five Rights Verification
Verify all five rights of medication administration before each dose.
- Right Patient: Two identifiers verified (name + DOB/MRN)?
- Right Medication: Drug name verified against order?
- Right Dose: Dose verified and calculated correctly?
- Right Route: Administration route confirmed (PO, IV, IM, etc.)?
- Right Time: Medication given within scheduled window?
High-Alert Medications
Additional safeguards for ISMP high-alert medications.
- High-alert medication identified and flagged?
- Independent double-check completed by second nurse?
- Concentration and rate verified for continuous infusions?
- Look-alike/sound-alike (LASA) precautions followed?
IV Administration
Safety checks specific to intravenous medication administration.
- IV site assessed for patency and signs of infiltration?
- Infusion pump rate and volume settings verified?
- Drug compatibility verified for multiple IV lines?
- IV line labeled with drug name, rate, and start time?
- Appropriate flush performed before and after administration?
Documentation
Complete medication administration documentation requirements.
- Administration documented on MAR immediately after giving?
- PRN medication effectiveness assessed and documented?
- Any adverse reactions documented and reported?
- Reason for any omitted doses documented?
Patient Education
Verify patient education and understanding of medications.
- Purpose of medication explained to patient?
- Potential side effects discussed with patient?
- Patient questions addressed satisfactorily?
- Teach-back method used to confirm understanding?
Related Healthcare Checklists
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Why Use This Medication Administration Safety Checklist?
This medication administration safety checklist helps healthcare teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for registered nurse / medication nurse / charge nurse professionals, this checklist covers 22 critical inspection points across 5 sections. Recommended frequency: each medication pass.
Ensures compliance with Joint Commission NPSG, ISMP Guidelines, CMS Medication Management, State Board of Nursing. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Medication Administration Safety Checklist cover?
This checklist covers 22 inspection items across 5 sections: Five Rights Verification, High-Alert Medications, IV Administration, Documentation, Patient Education. 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 Administration Safety Checklist?
This checklist is designed for Registered Nurse / Medication Nurse / Charge 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.