6 Rights or 5 Rights?

Published

of med administration? What does your school use? I'd always heard it as the 5-rights, but we are taught it's 6-rights, the last being "right documentation" is this a new things that they are moving to, or just our school?

also, are you taught to call patients "clients" "patients" or something else altogether?

Just curious what others do...

caliotter3

38,333 Posts

When I went to school eons ago it was the 5 rights, 6 rights is relatively a recent thing. Back then we were taught to use the term "client" instead of patient and this was reinforced in my subsequent home health jobs. When I worked in long term care, we were taught to call the patients, "residents" because the nursing home is their home.

Specializes in Trauma/Burn ICU, Neuro ICU.

Heh, we have "10 rights". Not kidding. Big school. Here they are:

1. Right Patient

2. Right Drug

3. Right Dose

4. Right Route

5. Right Time

6. Right Documentation

7. Patient right to refuse

8. Right Assessment

9. Right Patient Education

10. Right Evaluation

kat von b

258 Posts

Specializes in OR-ortho, neuro, trauma. Has 4 years experience.

I started nursing school in sept and they teach us the 6 rights. I had always gone by 5 as a CMA. And they use both client and patient interchangably but I think they are trying to get towards "client" more and more.

Aneroo, LPN

1 Article; 1,518 Posts

Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.
Whatever your instructor says it is.

This got me cracked up! LOL

We were taught 5, but I use the 6 rights when teaching med admin to my school staff.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN

1 Article; 3,181 Posts

Has 41 years experience.

I was taught the 5 rights but as an instructor it is the 6 rights, it is fairly new to meet the National Patient Safety Goals.

KatWright

84 Posts

I'll add :twocents:

Right Rate

I was taught the 5 rights but as an instructor it is the 6 rights, it is fairly new to meet the National Patient Safety Goals.

You wouldve failed in my school

There are 10 rights as previously mentioned.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP

17 Articles; 5,259 Posts

Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

I graduated in 2001 and we learned the 5 rights....have heard in the last few years about 6-10 rights. I'd go with whatever your instructor says, for two reasons: a) you'll pass :); and b) a few extra double checks will not hurt you.

We were taught to say clients. I call them patients.

Specializes in HH, Med/surg- liver & kidney transplant, ortho, ++. Has 13 years experience.

At our school it is 6 rights, the last being right documentation. Our text states 10 rights. The instructor wants us to be aware of all of the rights but only said we needed to know the 6. We were actually tested on it today. I got them all RIGHT!!!

As for client and patient. As a medical assistant it has ALWAYS been patient. As a nursing student, I actually say both. I use patient more often. The teacher hasn't corrected me and I have used both words in front of her. So it must not be that crucial to call them patients vs. clients. At least not in our school.

Annisme

161 Posts

Specializes in med/surg, ER. Has 3 years experience.
Heh, we have "10 rights". Not kidding. Big school. Here they are:

1. Right Patient

2. Right Drug

3. Right Dose

4. Right Route

5. Right Time

6. Right Documentation

7. Patient right to refuse

8. Right Assessment

9. Right Patient Education

10. Right Evaluation

We only use the 6 rights, but I like these:D

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