Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS) Practice Exam

The task of reconciling medication between the hospital and physician office stands out as a significant concern for healthcare organization leadership during a Joint Commission review. This is primarily due to the vital role that medication reconciliation plays in ensuring patient safety and continuity of care, especially when patients transition between different healthcare settings.

Medication errors can occur during transitions of care—such as when patients are discharged from the hospital and return to their primary care physician. If medication reconciliation is not properly conducted, patients may continue taking medications that are no longer appropriate, or they may fail to receive critical medications prescribed in the hospital. This step is essential for preventing adverse drug events and ensuring optimal therapeutic outcomes.

Healthcare organization leadership must prioritize medication reconciliation since it directly impacts patient safety, quality of care, and compliance with regulatory standards set forth by entities such as The Joint Commission. Ensuring that all medications are accurately documented, updated, and communicated between different care settings is crucial for effective patient management.