Five Rights & Quality Assurance

Five Rights of medication use

Right drug, right patient, right time, right dose, right route.

Right drug

Verify the correct medication.

Right patient

Verify the medication belongs to the correct patient.

Right time

Verify the medication is administered at the correct time.

Right dose

Verify the correct strength/dose.

Right route

Verify the medication is administered by the intended route.

Quality Assurance (QA)

All factors influencing the quality of medications/products, pharmacy services, and patient care throughout the medication-use process.

Quality Improvement (QI)

Specific outcomes are measured and monitored for improvement as system changes are made.

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)

Continually improving processes associated with providing a good or service.

Quality Indicator

Measure of a particular process or outcome.

Double-checking compound calculations

Example of pharmacy quality assurance.

Separating prescriptions by patient

Helps prevent patient mix-ups.

Posting LASA drug lists

Quality-assurance strategy.

Verifying allergies

Quality-assurance strategy.

Verify patient address and DOB

Helps ensure the correct patient is receiving the prescription.

Medication-error discussions

Errors and near misses should be reviewed to help prevent future occurrences.