What should you check first when reviewing a new prescription?

When reviewing a new prescription, checking the readability of the physician's writing is crucial because unclear handwriting can lead to misinterpretation of the medication name, dosage, or instructions. Physicians often write prescriptions quickly, and if any part of the prescription is difficult to read, it can result in administering the wrong medication or dosage, which may seriously impact patient safety.

Ensuring the readability of the physician's handwriting is typically a primary step in the verification process because it allows for immediate clarification before any further action is taken. If the prescription is not clear, it is important to either contact the prescriber for confirmation or consult with the pharmacist for their input, as they are trained to interpret unclear prescriptions.

Other factors such as completeness of prescription information, clarification needs, or the correctness of the treatment plan are also important but typically follow the initial step of verifying that the prescription can be clearly understood. The potential consequences of misreading a prescription underline the importance of addressing this first.