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Over 95% of residents living in residential aged care facilities (RACF) have experienced medication-related problems. To combat this, CHN commissioned the University of Canberra (UC) to undertake a trial embedding pharmacists into RACFs. Phase one consisted of a randomised controlled trial where Pharmacists were employed to be on-site part-time to conduct medication management and phase two involved a Pharmacist on-site for all control RACFs involved in phase 1.
As a first in Australia, the Pharmacists in Residential Aged Care Facilities trial aimed to reduce inappropriate medications, medication-related adverse effects, and hospitalisations, as well as improve quality use of medicines indicators such as reducing use of chemical restraints.
The Pharmacists worked collaboratively with the facilities care teams, other prescribers, allied health professionals, community and hospital pharmacists, alongside the resident and their family. CHN commissioned UC to undertake an independent evaluation, which was launched in February 2023. Multiple stakeholders were consulted as part of the evaluation to share insights and learnings of embedding pharmacists in the RACFs. The trial showed that having an on-site Pharmacist resulted in a reduction in residents taking potentially inappropriate medicines.
The independent evaluation demonstrated that having a Pharmacist on-site at a RACF assisted in:
- a decrease in the proportion of residents taking potentially inappropriate medicines
- a decrease in anticholinergic drug burden, which is associated with cognitive decline, delirium and increased risk of falls
- a decrease in the usage and dosage of antipsychotic medicines prescribed for residents
- establishing positive collaborative working relationships between on-site pharmacists, GPs and other prescribers (nurse practitioners, geriatricians, and other specialists), allied health professionals, and community and hospital pharmacists), RACFs managers, staff, residents and family members