When administering medication, it is important to document:

Documentation in medication administration is crucial to ensuring patient safety and providing a clear record of what has been done. The correct practice involves documenting after administering the medication and ensuring that all six rights of medication administration are respected. These rights include the right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, and right documentation.

By documenting after administration, caregivers create an accurate record that confirms the medication was given, the specifics of the dose and route, as well as noting any observations regarding the resident’s response. This practice is essential for maintaining a continuum of care, allowing other healthcare workers to be aware of what medications have been administered, which in turn helps prevent medication errors and potential adverse reactions.

The emphasis on the six rights reinforces the comprehensive approach needed to ensure that the medication process is safe and effective. When all rights are respected before and while administering, it significantly reduces the risk of complications or mistakes in medication delivery.