New project to reduce medication harm in aged care

SAHMRI researchers will play a pivotal role in a new initiative collaborating with the University of South Australia to improve medication safety in aged care homes, helping to prevent medication-induced harm and enhance resident care.

Led by SAHMRI Chief Investigators Dr Janet Sluggett, Dr Sara Javanparast and Dr Daria Gutteridge, the study will trial pharmacist directed medication safety rounds as part of Australia’s broader aged care reforms. 

Conducted in partnership with six aged care providers, the initiative will equip pharmacists, nurses, and aged care workers with practical tools to identify medication-related issues early and implement safe action plans for residents.

Medication management issues are one of the most common concerns reported to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recommended integrating pharmacists into aged care settings, a move that is now being expanded with new evidence-based care models. The project has received $1 million in funding through the MRFF Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Mission grant.

“Older Australians living in residential care are often taking a handful of daily medications, increasing their risk of errors and adverse events,” Dr 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 approach is based on 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. In a similar way, pharmacists, nurses, and aged care staff will conduct monthly medication safety rounds to review medication use and identify potential concerns, such as drug interactions, inappropriate prescriptions, and opportunities for deprescribing.

The two-year project is funded by a $1m MRFF Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Mission Grant, and will be co-designed with health professionals, aged care staff, residents, and families to ensure its effectiveness and scalability.

“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,” Dr 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.”