In the context of patient medication lists, what is the consequence if medication is not evaluated pre-discharge?

When medication is not evaluated pre-discharge, the consequence is that the medication will remain on the list. This means that any medications that were part of the patient's treatment during their stay may continue to be recorded without a thorough assessment of their current relevance or safety, potentially leading to issues post-discharge such as medication errors or adverse drug interactions.

It's important for healthcare providers to assess medications before a patient is discharged to ensure they are still necessary, appropriately dosed, and safe for the patient's ongoing care. Failing to do so means that outdated or inappropriate medications could remain on the list, possibly leading to complications once the patient is at home. The focus on medication reconciliation during discharge is essential to ensure continuity of care and to minimize the risk of medication-related problems after leaving the hospital.