Question

Are there any inconsistencies between MAR and the medication reconciliation? If so, list the inconsistencies.

Answer 1

Medication Administration Record (MAR) is a record for administering medicines to a patient at a health care facility. It includes the schedule of medicines for a particular period of time, including dosage, frequency of administration and all other details. It is simply referred to as the drug chart. It can serve as a legal document, being a part of the patient's permanent record. It can be an electronically generated one.

Medication Reconciliation is a process of creating accurate, uptodate and comprehensive medication list to ensure correct medication information is communicated at all transition points of care. It includes creating an accurate list of medications including the drug name, dosage, frequency and route of administration. This list is compared with physician orders on admission, transfer and discharge to ensure that medications being added, changed or discontinued are carefully monitored and evaluated. In this process, health care professionals work together with patients, families and care providers. Here, a formal, systematic review is needed which will help the medical professionals for the most accurate and appropriate prescriptions for the patient.

MAR is a medicine chart and a part of patient's case record. It includes all the list of medicines and its details administered to a patient.

Medication reconciliation is a systematic proess and review which includes many step by step analysis. It requires the health professionals to collaborate with patients, families and care providers. It ensures consistent communication of accurate and up-to-date medication information across transitions of care including admission, transfer, discharge etc. It helps to avoid medical errors.