If you cannot read a physician's handwriting on a prescription, what should be your next step?

When faced with the task of interpreting a physician's handwriting on a prescription and clarity is lacking, the best step to take is to reach out to the appropriate personnel, such as your supervisor, the pharmacist, or the physician. This approach ensures that medication is administered safely and correctly.

Contacting a supervisor or a pharmacist allows for verification of the prescription, ensuring that there are no medication errors that could potentially harm the patient. It also adheres to proper protocols and standards of care, emphasizing safety in medication administration. Engaging with the physician directly can clarify any uncertainties about the prescribed medication and its dosage, eliminating the risk of misinterpretation.

Attempting to interpret the handwriting on your own might lead to mistakes that could have serious consequences for the patient’s health. Similarly, skipping the medication altogether could jeopardize the patient's treatment plan. Seeking a coworker's opinion, while well-intentioned, does not guarantee the accuracy needed for medication administration, as they may not have the necessary training or access to the prescription details.

Thus, reaching out to a qualified individual is the safest and most professional course of action when in doubt about a prescription.