SUMMARY - Safe Medications Management project: Key issues and ...

is communicated clearly and in a timely fashion with the relevant residential care/community careagencies, GPs and pharmacies. This open communication would ensure all parties had thenecessary information to manage the transition from acute to residential setting or own home.1.4.6. Reduced “overmedication” and “polypharmacy”Most respondents who suggested these improvements were non-specific as to the method ofachieving them other than improved education and training, particularly in palliative care andbehaviour management. Polypharmacy was identified specifically as a key clinical practice problemby a number of respondents.1.4.7. Standard Medication Chart/Charts as ScriptsSome jurisdictions or organisations use the medication chart as the prescription, or supply thechart to the pharmacy which then “chases” the GP for the actual prescription. This is identified asan improvement to practice issues. Electronic systems were also seen as an improvement whichwould facilitate smoother and timely renewal and cessation of orders in line with best medicationpractice.1.4.8. Standardised and limited range of Drug Administration AidsRespondents referred to having to deal, not only with a range of Dose Administration Aids (DAA),but with them being changed either by the manufacturer or other parties involved in themedication management processes for any given resident, community or client.1.5. Other improvements/considerations from the Survey FindingsThere were a handful of respondents who raised some interesting and possibly highly importantissues. They have not been identified elsewhere as they were mostly “one-offs” rather thanmatters shared with several other respondents.However three very important matters emerged:Exploration of medication management in people’s homes where a number of people(client, carer, service providers, GPs and Pharmacists) are all participants in prescribing,supplying, storing, administering, monitoring and disposing of medicines.Complementary medicines and interventions in residential care. In many cases, the facilityor the treating GP may be reluctant to consider such treatment, or prohibit it altogether. Itis a complex area, but to maintain optimum independence and choice for residents, it mustbe considered in terms of ethics, safety, legality, right and risks.English language proficiency of staff (particularly care workers) and visiting professionals inresidential care facilities. This included strategies which would mitigate the risks ofmisunderstandings and errors. A resource in this area is the International MedicationSafety Network which offers a range of practical tools to address these issues. Otheravenues, such as English proficiency requirements (similar to Police Checks processes) andeducation options could also be considered.8