Which practice is part of best practices for safe transitions of care?

• A. Follow-up appointments within 7 days of discharge
• B. Home visit or call within 48 hours
• C. Clear discharge instructions
• D. Medication reconciliation within 24 hours

Answer: (D)

The main concept is ensuring accurate medication information across transitions to prevent adverse drug events. Medication reconciliation involves comparing the medications a patient should be taking with what they are actually taking, confirming doses, routes, and frequencies, and resolving any discrepancies. Doing this within 24 hours after discharge directly targets safety by catching changes made in the hospital, new prescriptions, or omissions, and ensuring the final, correct med list is communicated to the patient and caregivers.

While follow-up appointments, home visits or calls, and clear discharge instructions all support safe transitions, medication reconciliation specifically ensures the accuracy and continuity of the medication regimen, which is a core safeguard against medication errors during care transitions.