What is medication reconciliation?

According to Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada (ISMP Canada), medication reconciliation is the process by which healthcare providers work together with patients, families, and care providers to ensure accurate and comprehensive medication information is communicated consistently across all transitions of care. Medication reconciliation requires a systematic and comprehensive review of all the medications a patient is taking. This ensures that medications which are being added, changed, or discontinued are carefully evaluated. It is a component of medication management and will inform and enable prescribers to make the most appropriate prescribing decisions for the patient.