What should be done when a medication hasn't been verified by the pharmacy?

Linking the override pulls to the actual order before administering the medication is crucial for ensuring patient safety and medication accuracy. This process helps confirm that the medication being given is consistent with what has been ordered by the healthcare provider and that it has gone through the necessary checks by the pharmacy.

When medications are overridden, it usually means there was an urgent need for administration that circumvented the standard verification process. By linking these pulls to the actual prescription, healthcare providers can maintain a clear record of what medications were administered, ensuring accountability and facilitating proper documentation in the patient's electronic health record. This step also aids in preventing medication errors, as it verifies that the correct drug, dosage, and patient instructions match the physician's orders.

In situations where documentation practices are not adhered to, such as ignoring the need for verification, there could be significant risks of administering the wrong medication or dosage, leading to potential harm to the patient. Similarly, storing the medication or consulting a physician for a new prescription would not address the immediate clinical needs nor help maintain the necessary prescription records accurately. Thus, linking the override pulls to the actual order is the most appropriate and responsible action.