Using the “Six” Rights of Medication Administration

• The Right:

  • patient

  • drug

  • dose

  • route

  • time

  • documentation

The Six Rights of Medication Administration

• Before preparing any medication, wash your hands.
• The “right” patient: Check the patient’s name band; if the patient is alert & oriented ask the patient his name; does the name on the MAR match the name band?
• The “right” drug: Check the label twice against order on the MAR.  Any doubt the patient raises, recheck the original order for possible error.
• The “right” dose: Check ordered dose; Check that the order is within the recommended dosage range; call the prescriber for any clarifications. Check all calculations.
• The “right” time: Check the ordered time; give the dose as close to the scheduled time as possible.
• The “right” route: Check the correct route of drug administration; if the route is not specified, clarify the drug order before giving the medication.
• The “Sixth” Right of Medication Administration
  • The “right” documentation: Check that the medication administered is charted on the Medication Administration Record.
    • Always document administering a drug after giving it, not before.
    • Documentation provides proof that the right medication and dose was administered to the right patient, at the right time, and by the right route.

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