In a situation where documentation is unclear, what should the healthcare professional do before medication administration?

The appropriate action for a healthcare professional when faced with unclear documentation before medication administration is to contact the pharmacy for clarification. This approach fosters patient safety and ensures that the healthcare provider has the correct information regarding the medication, including its purpose, dosing, and potential side effects.

By reaching out to the pharmacy, the healthcare professional can obtain the necessary specifics to prevent errors that could arise from misinterpretation or ambiguity in the documentation. This step underscores the importance of verification and communication within the healthcare team, ensuring that patients receive accurate and safe treatment.

Taking action based on unclear documentation, such as administering the medication without verification, can lead to significant risks, including medication errors. Additionally, waiting for the patient to report symptoms does not proactively address the uncertainty and relies on potentially harmful outcomes before rectifying the situation. Although consulting with a supervisor can sometimes be a good option, immediate clarification from the pharmacy is often more directly relevant to the medication in question.