08/07/2025

You Asked... We Answered...

You Asked:

What are the requirements for reconciling medications before a resident is discharged from the nursing home?

We Answered:

Under §483.21(c)(2)(iii), nursing homes are required to perform a medication reconciliation prior to a resident’s discharge to ensure safe transitions of care. Facility staff must compare the medications listed in the discharge summary with the medications the resident was receiving while in the facility. Any discrepancies or differences must be:

• Assessed
• Resolved
• Documented in the discharge summary, along with the rationale for any changes

For example, a resident recovering from surgery may have required a short course of antibiotics while in the facility. If the antibiotic is no longer needed at home, the discontinuation should be noted and explained in the discharge summary.

Additionally, the discharge instructions and any prescriptions provided to the resident and/or their representative must match the reconciled list in the discharge summary. Ensuring this alignment helps avoid medication errors and supports continuity of care after discharge.