Medication Administration Safety Check (5 Rights)
This medication administration checklist ensures safe medication delivery through verification of the 5 Rights of Medication Administration per Joint Commission medication management standards.
- Industry: Healthcare
- Frequency: Per Medication Administration
- Estimated Time: 3-5 minutes
- Role: Registered Nurse / Licensed Practical Nurse
- Total Items: 31
- Compliance: Joint Commission MM Standards, State Nurse Practice Act, ISMP Guidelines, TJC NPSG.03.04.01
The 5 Rights Verification
Core medication safety checks
- RIGHT PATIENT - Verified using 2 identifiers
- Identifiers used
- RIGHT MEDICATION - Drug matches order
- Medication name
- RIGHT DOSE - Dose matches order
- Dose amount
- RIGHT ROUTE - Route matches order
- Route
- RIGHT TIME - Within administration window
Additional Rights & Checks
Extended safety verification
- RIGHT REASON - Indication appropriate
- RIGHT DOCUMENTATION - Will be documented
- RIGHT RESPONSE - Monitoring plan in place
- Patient informed of right to refuse
Allergy & Interaction Check
Safety screening
- Allergies verified and checked
- Documented allergies
- No allergy contraindication present
- Drug-drug interactions checked
Medication Verification
Drug product verification
- Medication not expired
- Expiration date
- Medication packaging intact
- Medication appearance normal
- High-alert medication double-checked (if applicable)
Administration & Documentation
Administration completion
- Patient educated on medication purpose
- Medication administered successfully
- Any immediate adverse reaction observed
- Reaction details (if any)
- Nurse Signature
Infection Prevention & Control
Infection control per CDC/Joint Commission
- Hand hygiene compliance observed?
- Isolation precautions followed correctly?
- Sharps containers not overfilled?
- Appropriate PPE available and used?
Related Healthcare Checklists
- UK Care Home Medication Management Checklist
- UK Pharmacy Controlled Drugs Checklist
- UK Care Home Medication Management Checklist
- Surgical Site Verification Checklist (Time Out)
- Patient Hand-Off Communication Checklist (SBAR)
- Patient Identification Verification Checklist
- Medication Reconciliation at Admission Checklist
Related Medication Safety Checklists
- UK Care Home Medication Management Checklist - FREE Download
- UK Pharmacy Controlled Drugs Checklist - FREE Download
Why Use This Medication Administration Safety Check (5 Rights)?
This medication administration safety check (5 rights) helps healthcare teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for registered nurse / licensed practical nurse professionals, this checklist covers 31 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: per medication administration.
Ensures compliance with Joint Commission MM Standards, State Nurse Practice Act, ISMP Guidelines, TJC NPSG.03.04.01. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Medication Administration Safety Check (5 Rights) cover?
This checklist covers 31 inspection items across 6 sections: The 5 Rights Verification, Additional Rights & Checks, Allergy & Interaction Check, Medication Verification, Administration & Documentation, Infection Prevention & Control. It is designed for healthcare operations and compliance.
How often should this checklist be completed?
This checklist should be completed per medication administration. Each completion takes approximately 3-5 minutes.
Who should use this Medication Administration Safety Check (5 Rights)?
This checklist is designed for Registered Nurse / Licensed Practical 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.