What is the primary goal of medication reconciliation?

The primary goal of medication reconciliation is to prevent medication errors during treatment. This process involves ensuring that patients' medication lists are accurate and reflect all medications that they are currently taking, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements. By comparing the patient's current medications to previous records, healthcare providers can identify discrepancies, prevent potential drug interactions, and avoid the omission or duplication of medications. This is crucial in reducing the risk of adverse drug events and ensuring the safety and efficacy of the treatment plan being developed for the patient. Thus, medication reconciliation is an essential practice aimed at enhancing patient safety within healthcare settings.