Medication Requisition Form: A Comprehensive Guide

A medication requisition form is a crucial document used in healthcare settings to formally request medications from the pharmacy or central supply. It serves as a written order, ensuring accuracy, accountability, and a clear audit trail for medication management. Whether in a hospital, clinic, or long-term care facility, understanding and properly utilizing the medication requisition form is paramount for patient safety and efficient workflow.

Purpose and Importance

The primary purpose of a medication requisition form is to clearly communicate the need for specific medications. It prevents miscommunication and errors that can occur with verbal orders. The form provides a standardized format to capture essential information, including:

• Patient Identification: Ensures the medication is intended for the correct individual.
• Medication Details: Specifies the exact drug name, strength, dosage form, and quantity required.
• Prescriber Information: Identifies the authorized healthcare professional responsible for ordering the medication.
• Date and Time: Records when the request was made, providing context for timeliness and potential delays.
• Route of Administration: Clarifies how the medication should be administered (e.g., oral, intravenous, intramuscular).
• Frequency and Duration: Outlines how often the medication should be given and for how long.
• Reason for Request: Provides context for the medication’s use, which can be helpful for pharmacy verification and potential therapeutic interventions.
• Special Instructions: Accommodates any unique considerations, such as specific compounding requirements, allergy information, or administration protocols.

By adhering to these details, the medication requisition form minimizes the risk of medication errors, improves communication between healthcare providers, and contributes to a safer medication administration process.

Key Components of a Medication Requisition Form

A typical medication requisition form includes several essential fields. The specific layout and details might vary depending on the institution and the form’s intended use, but the following components are generally present:

• Header Information: Includes the name of the healthcare facility, department, and form title (e.g., “Medication Requisition Form,” “Drug Order Form”).
• Patient Demographics: Patient’s full name, date of birth, medical record number (MRN), and potentially their room number or location within the facility. This section ensures accurate identification and prevents mix-ups.
• Medication Details:
  • Drug Name: The generic or brand name of the medication. Using the generic name is preferred to avoid confusion related to different brand names.
  • Strength: The concentration of the active ingredient in each dosage unit (e.g., 500mg, 250mcg).
  • Dosage Form: The physical form of the medication (e.g., tablet, capsule, injection, cream).
  • Quantity: The total amount of medication needed (e.g., 30 tablets, 1 vial).
• Prescription Information:
  • Prescriber’s Name and Credentials: The full name of the physician, nurse practitioner, or other authorized prescriber, along with their professional designation (e.g., MD, NP, PA).
  • Prescriber’s Signature: A signed confirmation of the order’s authenticity. Digital signatures may be used in electronic requisition systems.
  • Prescriber’s Contact Information: A phone number or other means of contacting the prescriber if clarification is needed.
  • Date and Time of Order: When the order was written.
• Administration Instructions:
  • Route of Administration: How the medication should be given (e.g., PO – by mouth, IV – intravenous, IM – intramuscular, SubQ – subcutaneous).
  • Frequency: How often the medication should be administered (e.g., once daily, twice daily, every 6 hours). Abbreviations should be used cautiously and ideally avoided altogether due to potential for misinterpretation.
  • Duration: How long the medication should be given for (e.g., for 7 days, until discontinued).
  • Dosage: The amount of medication to administer each time.
• Clinical Information:
  • Indication/Reason for Use: The medical condition or purpose for which the medication is being prescribed.
  • Allergies: Documented allergies to medications or other substances.
  • Relevant Lab Values: Important lab results that may influence medication selection or dosage.
  • Other Medications: A list of other medications the patient is currently taking to identify potential drug interactions.
• Pharmacy Use Only:
  • Date Received: When the requisition was received by the pharmacy.
  • Pharmacist’s Initials: Confirmation that a pharmacist has reviewed and verified the order.
  • Dispensing Notes: Any relevant notes or instructions from the pharmacist regarding the dispensing process.
  • Lot Number and Expiration Date: Records for tracking medication inventory and quality control.

Completing the Medication Requisition Form

Accuracy and completeness are paramount when filling out a medication requisition form. Follow these guidelines:

• Use clear and legible handwriting: Illegible handwriting is a common source of medication errors. If possible, use a printed form or electronic entry.
• Provide complete information: Do not omit any required fields. If information is unavailable, indicate why (e.g., “unknown”).
• Use standard abbreviations appropriately: If using abbreviations, ensure they are approved by the institution and are universally understood. Avoid ambiguous abbreviations altogether.
• Double-check for accuracy: Before submitting the form, review all entries for errors or inconsistencies.
• Obtain necessary signatures: Ensure the form is signed and dated by the authorized prescriber.
• Submit the form promptly: Timely submission ensures that medications are dispensed and administered without delay.

Electronic Medication Requisition Systems

Many healthcare facilities have transitioned to electronic medication requisition systems (eMAR or e-prescribing). These systems offer several advantages over paper-based forms, including:

• Improved Legibility: Eliminates handwriting errors.
• Reduced Errors: Built-in checks and alerts can prevent drug interactions, dosage errors, and other potential problems.
• Enhanced Efficiency: Streamlines the requisition process, saving time and resources.
• Improved Communication: Facilitates real-time communication between prescribers, pharmacists, and nurses.
• Better Tracking: Provides a comprehensive audit trail for medication orders.

Regardless of whether a paper-based or electronic system is used, the principles of accuracy, completeness, and clarity remain essential for safe and effective medication management. Proper training and adherence to institutional policies are crucial for all healthcare professionals involved in the medication requisition process.