Prescription checking

what are the six “rights”

1. Right patient

2. Right drug, strength, dosage form, brand & route

3. Right directions for use

4. Right quantity & refills

5. Right prescriber

6. Right methodology for reconstituted/compounded meds

   
   

what identifier should you check for the patient?

Check the patient first & last name on prescription and product label

• Always check at least one additional identifier (DOB, PHIN)

What is the difference between the 6-digit and 9-digit #s on your MB Health Card

9 digit PHIN – unique to each individual, no one will have the same PHIN number

6 digit RN– identifies your family unit

what should you check on the drug? (8)

• Check drug name and strength

• Consider interchangeability (Manitoba Formulary or Hospital Formulary)

• Consider availability & coverage

• Consider pricing, coverage and cost

• Check that the dosage form is correct

• Match the DIN (Drug Identification Number) on the prescription record/hard copy to the stock bottle & label/product - Each DIN is unique to the specific drug/strength/manufacturer

• Check the physical appearance of the drug to ensure that the product in the vial/package is what the label states

• Check the expiration date on ALL stock bottles or boxes to ensure that the product will not expire during the treatment period - Record the expiry date and lot # on the prescription record/hardcopy

  
  

  
  

what should you double check when looking at directions for use?

Verify that the directions on the prescription provide the same dose as what is stated on the vial/product label -

◦ Rx for 500mg BID but medication only comes in 250mg capsules
◦ Rx for 12.5mg OD but medication only comes in 25mg tablets

• Confirm the dosing interval and frequency

• Ensure that the directions and label are clear and easy to understand

what should you check under quantities and refils?

• Check calculations for dosage, compounding, etc

• Check the quantity on the prescription and product label to ensure they are the same. If the quantity has been calculated from information on the prescription, double check the calculation

• Check the number of refills on the prescription and product label to ensure they are the same

• Check that the quantity in the vial is correct (double count)

• Check that the most appropriate packaging/container has been used

  
  

what should you check for pack size?

Check the correct pack size is being used to billto MB health and insurance eg. Inhalers, nasal sprays, eye drops

what you should look for when verifying the doctor?

• Check the prescriber’s name on the prescription and product label to ensure all information is correct

• Consider prescribing laws and regulations (scope, authority, prescribing conditions, etc.)

• If prescriber has multiple practice sites, ADD the additional practice sites to the file

• ensure you are using the correct one when filling the Rx

what should you check if medication was compounded

If a medication was reconstituted or compounded check to make sure the appropriate methodology was used