Reducing medication harm: a two-year collaborative project

SAHMRI and University of South Australia researchers are collaborating on a project to improve medication safety in residential aged care, intended to help prevent medication-induced harm and enhance resident care. Led by SAHMRI Chief Investigators Dr Janet Sluggett, Dr Sara Javanparast and Dr Daria Gutteridge, and conducted in partnership with six aged care providers, the project will trial pharmacist-directed medication safety rounds as part of Australia’s broader aged care reforms.

With medication management issues one of the most common concerns reported to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, and the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety having recommended integrating pharmacists into aged care settings, the initiative will work to equip pharmacists, nurses and aged care workers with practical tools to identify medication-related issues early and implement safe action plans for residents.

“Older Australians living in residential care are often taking a handful of daily medications, increasing their risk of errors and adverse events,” Sluggett said. “With pharmacists now working onsite in aged care homes, this initiative will provide them with structured processes to proactively manage medication safety issues.”

The evidence-backed model of nurse-led palliative care needs — where patients are regularly reviewed by a multidisciplinary team to ensure their needs are met — is driving the project. In a similar way, pharmacists, nurses and aged care staff will conduct monthly medication safety rounds to review medication use and identify potential concerns — these include drug interactions, inappropriate prescriptions and deprescribing opportunities.

“Australia is one of the first countries to introduce onsite pharmacists in aged care, and this project will provide a structured framework to ensure they can make the greatest impact,” Sluggett said. “By working collaboratively with aged care providers, we aim to evaluate and refine this model, with the goal of expanding it more broadly to improve resident health and wellbeing.”

A $1 million Medical Research Future Fund Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Mission Grant is funding the two-year project. To ensure effectiveness and scalability, it will be co-designed with health professionals, aged care staff, residents and families.

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