Seven Rights of Drug Administration

Right patient

Verify with the patient their name. Ask for birthday or other verifying information off their chart to verify you have the right patient.

Right drug

Check, double check, then check again that the drug you have is EXACTLY the same drug the doctor ordered

Right dose

Triple check, again the dose that the doctor prescribed with the dose on the container.

Right time

Military time. Some medications need to be given with food or on an empty stomach. Some medications may react with other medications if given at the same time.

Right route

Knowing the abbreviations for route is imperative make sure you're giving the medication the way it was ordered

Right technique

If you have not given a particular drug or vaccine before, make sure there are not any special considerations when giving the medication. Review the technique before giving the drug.

Right documentation

Follow your particular employer's procedures for documentation. Don't wait until later to document a medication administration, do it as soon as you have given the medication. Be sure to chart all the other "rights". Must document site if given injection.