What practice reduces medication errors during patient handoffs?

• A. Rely on verbal handoffs only.
• B. Skip medication checks during transition.
• C. Accurate medication reconciliation integrated into structured handoffs.
• D. Use patient self-report only.

Answer: (C)

Accurate medication reconciliation integrated into structured handoffs is the practice that reduces medication errors during patient handoffs. By verifying and documenting the complete list of a patient’s medications—including drugs, dosages, routes, timing, and any recent changes—and communicating this in a standardized handoff format, the receiving team has a clear, verified reference. This dual approach catches discrepancies between what was prescribed, what was given, and what the patient should take, and it often involves confirming details with the patient or family. The structured format (like a checklist or standardized handoff framework) ensures essential information isn’t skipped or miscommunicated, which is the key to preventing omissions, duplications, or dosing mistakes.

Relying on verbal handoffs alone can lead to important details being forgotten or misread. Skipping medication checks during transition leaves no mechanism to verify the current med list. Relying on patient self-report alone can be unreliable, especially if the patient is acutely ill, confused, or unaware of all medications (including OTCs and supplements).