Which practice can improve medication safety?

Implementing double-check systems for medication preparation is a vital practice to enhance medication safety. This strategy involves having more than one pharmacy professional verify the accuracy of medication doses, dosages, calculations, and preparation procedures. Such a system significantly reduces the risk of human error, which is a leading cause of medication mishaps in healthcare settings.

By having multiple checks in place, discrepancies can be caught before medications reach the patients, ensuring that they receive the correct medications as prescribed. This practice not only safeguards patient health but also builds a culture of safety within the pharmacy, encouraging communication and diligence among staff members.

In contrast, providing minimal information to patients generally leads to confusion and misuse of medications. Avoiding the use of technology can hinder medication management processes, making it more challenging to track prescriptions accurately. Finally, counting medications by hand, although sometimes necessary, is less reliable than using automated equipment that can ensure precision and efficiency in the medication dispensing process.