Guiding principles for medication management in residential aged care facilities collection

These Guiding Principles for Medication Management in Residential Aged Care Facilities (2022 Ed.) build upon on the previous edition published in 2012 and promote practice that keeps the individual receiving care at the centre of an integrated health system. It also has a ‘supplement’ User Guide: Role of a Medication Advisory Committee.

The Guiding Principles promote a Quality Use of Medicines and person‑centred approach for medication management within Residential Aged Care Facilities consistent with the National Medicines Policy. They are intended to assist RACFs to:

• Establish and implement formalised medicines governance arrangements
• Develop, implement, and evaluate – locally – specific policies, procedures and guidelines
• Support those involved in assisting care recipients
• Support people receiving care in the medication management process.

A list of the guiding principles and key tasks for the RACF, the healthcare workforce, and/ or the individual, their carer and/or family to action are provided in the Fact Sheet

In addition, users should refer to the User Guide: Role of a Medication Advisory Committee. This is a ‘supplement’ to the Guiding Principles for Medication Management in Residential Aged Care Facilities.

The Guiding Principles and ‘supplement’ are intended for use by all QUM partners, including government, healthcare professionals and providers, the individual, their carer and/or family, and others.

The Guiding Principles advocate a person-centred partnership and systems approach to achieve safe and quality use of medicines and medication management within RACFs. Sound governance of medication management is fundamental.

The Glossary for the Guiding Principles and User Guide contains terms, and if appropriate, definitions from external sources, that have been adapted to support and fit the context of the Guiding Principles documents.