“Three Checks” denotes that the label on the medication package or container should be checked three times during medication preparation and administration.
Read the Electronic Medication Administration Record (eMAR) or Medication Administration Record (MAR); read the label when reaching for the unit dose package or container and selecting the proper medication from the patient's medication drawer or medication supply system. This is the first check of the medication label.
After retrieving the medication from the drawer, read the label and compare the medication label with the eMAR/MAR. Note: Compare with the eMAR/MAR immediately before pouring from a multidose container. This is the second check of the medication label.
The third check can be performed in one of two ways, depending on facility policy:
Most commonly, at the bedside, read the label and recheck the label with the eMAR/MAR after identifying the patient and before administration.
When all medications for one patient have been prepared, read the label and recheck the labels with the eMAR/MAR before replacing the multidose container in the drawer or shelf before taking the medication to the patient.