In medication administration, what does "right patient" ensure?

The concept of "right patient" in medication administration is crucial for ensuring medication safety and effectiveness. This principle emphasizes that the medication must be administered to the intended individual, thereby preventing the potentially serious consequences of giving the wrong medication to the wrong person.

When healthcare providers confirm the identity of the patient, they are safeguarding against medication errors such as administering a drug intended for one patient to another with different health conditions, allergies, or medication histories. This verification process typically involves using multiple identifiers, such as the patient’s name, date of birth, or hospital identification number, to ensure that the proper patient receives the prescribed treatment.

This principle does not address issues related to the timing of the medication administration, dosages, or discussions of side effects, which are covered by other “rights” in medication administration protocols. Therefore, confirming the "right patient" is a foundational step in the broader framework aimed at enhancing patient safety in healthcare settings.