When pouring medication for residents, what should you ensure?

Ensuring safe medication administration is crucial in assisted living settings, and the correct approach involves a thorough and careful process. Checking the six rights—right resident, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, and right documentation—is a foundational principle in medication safety. By performing this check three times, the caregiver enhances the accuracy of medication administration, reducing the risk of errors.

Pouring medications for one resident at a time helps maintain focus and minimizes the risk of mixing up medications between residents, which is a critical aspect of patient safety. Additionally, verifying the medication label with the medication administration record (MAR) three times ensures that there are no discrepancies and that the correct medication and dosage are being prepared for the right individual. This diligent approach fosters a safer and more effective administration process, thereby promoting the well-being of residents in assisted living facilities.