Procedure for Medicine Schedule Crosscheck
The prescription has been followed correctly. It is being checked again.
Procedure for Medicine Schedule Crosscheck Counterfactual Assessment and Governing Protocol
The Counterfactual
If the medicine schedule had not been crosschecked, what would have happened?
The correct dose would have been taken at the correct time. This is the most likely outcome because the schedule has been followed correctly for several doses without a crosscheck and has also been followed correctly with one. The crosscheck does not appear to affect the outcome.
This observation does not affect the crosscheck frequency.
The Practice
Someone checks a medicine schedule against the prescription even after following it correctly for several doses. The check takes approximately twenty seconds. The twenty seconds are considered necessary.
Consequence One
Medicine schedule crosscheck adds one extra decision to a routine that was already being performed correctly. The decision is whether the dose being removed from the blister pack corresponds to the dose indicated on the prescription for this date at this time.
Consequence Two
The new decision creates screenshots, notes, and messages that must also be managed. The prescription is photographed and kept in a dedicated folder. The folder is accessible to multiple household members. Multiple household members have confirmed the correct dose on at least two occasions.
Consequence Three
The crosscheck adds one extra step to a routine that was already being performed correctly, and this is considered acceptable. The supporting paperwork outlives the problem and becomes evidence that the ritual was necessary. The photograph of the prescription will remain in the folder after the prescription is complete.
The Governing Rule
Any behavior that prevents embarrassment once must survive until formally challenged. The crosscheck prevented a potential error on one occasion, or was in place during a period when no error occurred, which is interpreted as the same thing.
The Contradiction
The checking seeks certainty. The prescription is checked against itself. It confirms that it says what it says.
Status
Procedure continues. Formally unchallenged.