How should transitions of care be managed to reduce adverse events?

• A. Medication reconciliation, clear handoffs, and patient/caregiver education at discharge or transfer.
• B. Avoid communicating with the next care team.
• C. Stop all medications during transfer.
• D. Only patient should know.

Answer: (A)

Safe transitions of care hinge on coordinated communication and active involvement of the patient and caregivers. When a patient moves from one setting to another, the risk of adverse events rises if information about medications, allergies, follow-up needs, and new problems isn’t clearly shared. Medication reconciliation plays a central role because it creates an accurate, up-to-date list of every medicine the patient should be taking, resolves duplications or omissions, and aligns dosing and routes across all providers. Clear handoffs ensure the next care team understands what changed, why it changed, and what to monitor, so there are no gaps in care. Educating the patient and caregiver at discharge or transfer empowers them to manage medications safely, recognize warning signs, and know when to seek help. This combination directly targets the main sources of harm during transitions, especially for older adults who often take multiple medications and rely on multiple providers.

Why the other choices don’t fit as well: avoiding communication with the next care team creates dangerous gaps in information; stopping all medications during transfer is unsafe and inappropriate for most conditions; and having only the patient know everything ignores the need for professional coordination and verification of complex regimens.