Medication lists form a critical component of safe patient care. According to FDA medication error data, medication errors affect nearly 1.5 million people annually. Poor documentation—abbreviations, incomplete dosing, disorganized lists—leads to wrong drug, wrong dose, and wrong route administration. Clear table format with standardized information prevents these dangerous mistakes.
What 7 Columns Should Every Medication List Include?
Medication List Template
| Drug Name | Dose | Route | Frequency | Indication | Prescriber | Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metformin (Glucophage) | 1000 mg | PO | BID with meals | Type 2 diabetes | Dr. Smith | 01/15/2025 |
| Lisinopril (Zestril) | 20 mg | PO | Daily | Hypertension | Dr. Smith | 03/01/2024 |
| Atorvastatin (Lipitor) | 40 mg | PO | Daily at bedtime | High cholesterol | Dr. Jones | 06/10/2023 |
Dangerous Abbreviations to Avoid
Do Not Use List (Joint Commission)
| ❌ Don't Use | Problem | ✅ Use Instead |
|---|---|---|
| QD | Mistaken for QID | Daily |
| QOD | Mistaken for QD | Every other day |
| U (units) | Mistaken for 0, 4, or cc | Units (spell out) |
| IU | Mistaken for IV or 10 | International units |
| MS, MSO4 | Morphine vs magnesium sulfate | Morphine sulfate |
| Trailing zero (1.0) | Mistaken for 10 | 1 mg |
| No leading zero (.5) | Mistaken for 5 | 0.5 mg |
Medication Reconciliation Template
Use 3-column format for transitions of care:
Reconciliation Table
| Home Medication | Hospital Medication | Action/Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Lisinopril 10 mg daily | Lisinopril 20 mg daily | Dose increased for BP control |
| Aspirin 81 mg daily | — | Discontinued (GI bleeding) |
| — | Furosemide 40 mg daily | New (fluid overload) |
| Metformin 1000 mg BID | Metformin 1000 mg BID | Continued unchanged |
Complex Dosing Documentation
Variable dosing requires specific instructions:
**Warfarin (variable dose):** Warfarin 5 mg PO daily, dose adjusted based on INR. Target INR: 2.0-3.0 Current schedule: Mon/Wed/Fri: 5mg, Tue/Thu/Sat/Sun: 2.5mg Next INR check: [date] **Insulin (sliding scale):** Insulin glargine 20 units SubQ at bedtime Adjust by 2 units every 3 days based on fasting glucose. Target fasting glucose: 80-130 mg/dL **PRN medications:** Hydrocodone-acetaminophen 5-325 mg PO every 4-6 hours as needed for moderate-severe pain Maximum: 6 tablets per 24 hours
Organization by Use Case
Organize Lists for Different Purposes
| User | Best Organization | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Nurses (administration) | By time: 8AM, 12PM, 8PM, PRN | Efficient med pass, prevents missed doses |
| Pharmacists (review) | By therapeutic class | Identifies duplications, interactions |
| Discharge planners | By status: continued, new, discontinued | Shows what changed during hospitalization |
| Patients | By time with plain language | Supports adherence |
Patient-Friendly Medication List
**MY MEDICATIONS** Reviewed: [date] **MORNING (with breakfast):** ☐ Metformin 1000 mg — for diabetes ☐ Lisinopril 20 mg — for blood pressure **EVENING (with dinner):** ☐ Metformin 1000 mg — for diabetes **BEDTIME:** ☐ Atorvastatin 40 mg — for cholesterol **AS NEEDED:** ☐ Acetaminophen 500 mg — for pain (max 6/day)
Frequently Asked Questions About Medication Lists
Should I include both generic and brand names?
Yes—include both when the brand name is commonly used. "Metformin (Glucophage)" ensures accurate identification when pharmacies substitute generics or patients transfer care. Generic name should be primary.
How often should medication lists be updated?
At every encounter and whenever medications change. Mark lists with review date: "List verified [date]." Outdated lists propagate dangerous errors. Have patients bring all bottles for visual verification ("brown bag review").
Should I include over-the-counter and supplements?
Yes—OTCs and supplements can cause significant interactions. Document: aspirin, NSAIDs, antihistamines, vitamins, herbal supplements. Many patients don't consider these "medications" but they affect care.
How do I document controlled substances differently?
Add prescriber name, DEA number, pharmacy, last fill date, quantity. For opioids, include total daily morphine milligram equivalents (MME). Reference any pain management agreement: "Per pain contract dated [date]."
Can AI help create medication lists?
Yes, AI tools like River's Medication List Generator create clean, formatted tables. Input scattered medication information, and the AI generates standardized 7-column tables with proper terminology and organization. Always verify against source documents.
Clear medication lists prevent errors that harm patients. Use River's Medication List Generator to create comprehensive, well-organized tables that improve medication safety during care transitions.