What is the purpose of the DOT System in medication administration?

The purpose of the DOT System in medication administration is to ensure that medications have been administered correctly. By placing a dot in the Medication Administration Record (MAR) box, caregivers or providers can easily track and confirm that the medication has been given to the patient as prescribed. This practice enhances accountability and helps prevent medication errors by providing a clear and visible record of administration. It serves as a real-time check for both the caregiver and any supervising bodies, ensuring adherence to the medication administration schedule and maintaining accurate documentation that can be reviewed later for compliance and patient safety.

The other options relate to different aspects of medication management but do not directly address the primary function of the DOT System. For example, marking expired medications, tracking reorder needs, or reporting distribution errors does not contribute to the immediate verification and accountability of medication administration practices like the DOT System does.