How should medication or solution labels be verified?

The appropriate method for verifying medication or solution labels is through verbal and visual confirmation by two qualified individuals. This approach is crucial in enhancing patient safety and reducing the risk of medication errors. It involves one qualified person reading the label aloud while another qualified person visually checks the label against the medication or solution being prepared or administered.

This process ensures that any potential discrepancies, such as incorrect dosages or wrong medications, are caught before administration. Having two individuals engaged in this verification process provides an additional layer of oversight and helps reinforce accountability, as opposed to relying on a single person's judgment.

By promoting a culture of safety and teamwork, this practice aligns closely with the National Patient Safety Goals, which emphasize the importance of effective communication and the reduction of medication errors in healthcare settings.