What is the primary outcome of medication reconciliation at discharge?

• A. Increase costs.
• B. Reduces omissions, duplications, and dosing errors.
• C. Prolongs hospital stay.
• D. Delays discharge.

Answer: (B)

The main concept here is ensuring safety during the transition from hospital to home by getting the patient’s meds right at discharge. The primary outcome of medication reconciliation at discharge is reducing omissions, duplications, and dosing errors. By thoroughly comparing the patient’s home medications, what’s prescribed in the hospital, and what’s being provided at discharge, clinicians catch and fix missing meds, duplicate therapies, and incorrect doses. This directly lowers the risk of adverse drug events after leaving the hospital and supports smoother, safer continuity of care.

Increasing costs or delaying/disrupting discharge are not the goals of this process; in fact, effective reconciliation aims to prevent problems that can lead to expensive complications and unnecessary readmissions, helping to keep discharge on track and safer for the patient.