PDF printable version of Medication Management Website Set to Benefit Australians Living in Nursing Homes (PDF 25 KB)
24 November 2008
The Australian Government will next month announce the successful applicants in the upcoming $8.7 million funding round to improve evidence- based clinical care in nursing homes and hostels.
It is part of the Australian Government’s $21.6 million Encouraging Best Practice in Residential Aged Care (EBPRAC) program.
Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot made the announcement at the launch of a website dedicated to assisting nursing staff and health professionals manage patient medication in Australia’s nursing homes.
A study conducted by the Victorian Poisons Information centre in collaboration with Austin and Melbourne Health suggested that medication management could have been responsible for up to 140,000 potential avoidable hospital admissions nationally.
It is recognised that older people are the largest users of medications. Medication management in nursing homes is a complex area as an estimated 98 per cent of residents take at least one form of medication and 63 per cent are taking four or more medicines.
The National Prescribing Service (NPS) produced the material for the website in conjunction with registered nurse participants from seven residential aged care facilities.
The website was developed following feedback from nurses working in nursing homes that highlighted difficulties in keeping up to date with relevant legislation, guidelines and toolkits that support medication management.
The NPS website addresses theses challenges and provides access to:
- Relevant Commonwealth and state legislation for example Drug and Poisons Act;
- Guidelines and toolkits produced by authorities such as Nurses Boards in each state and;
- Communication channels allowing registered nurses from different facilities to discuss medication management issues
“This website is practical and evidence-based. It forms a one-stop shop for health professionals working in our aged care facilities,” Mrs Elliot said.
“As people age they are more likely to suffer from chronic complex conditions that can require multiple medications.
“This can increase the likelihood of adverse drug reactions or interactions. Quality use of medicines can reduce avoidable hospital admissions for older Australians living in nursing homes and hostels,” Mrs Elliot said.
Over the next four years, funding for aged and community care will reach record levels of more than $41 billion – with $28.6 billion of that on residential aged care alone.
This year, the National Prescribing Service (NPS) received $30 million in Australian Government funding to continue to conduct quality improvement programs for health professionals and consumers.
The NPS provides medicines information and resources for consumers, health professionals, members and stakeholders involved in Quality Use of Medicines.
Details: www.nps.org.au
For more information, contact Mrs Elliot's office on (02) 6277 7280
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