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Aged care on-site pharmacists can now be employed in Australian residential aged care facilities. In June this year, the Department of Health and Aged Care announced that credentialled pharmacists would be able to work on-site from 1 July 2024.
This comes after the Royal Commission into Aged Care Safety and Quality identified medication management and safety in residential aged care as an essential area for improvement.
The Department says the new measure aims to:
- improve medication use and safety in the residential aged care home, including safe and appropriate use of high-risk medications
- provide continuity in medication management, such as day-to-day review of medications and prompt issue resolution
- provide easy access to pharmacist advice for residents and staff
- integrate on-site pharmacists with the healthcare team, including local general practitioners, nurses, and community pharmacy
- increase understanding of individual resident needs.
On-site pharmacists in residential aged care can have a role to play in managing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Two recent studies have shown a concerning trend of AMR in residential aged care.
A 2023 University of South Australia study which analysed wastewater samples from aged care facilities in Adelaide uncovered high levels of bacteria resistance against three antibiotics – ceftazidime, cefepime, and ciprofloxacin —in one aged care residential facility. A second facility recorded above-average levels of antimicrobial resistance to gentamicin; an antimicrobial on the APINCHS classification of high-risk medicines list. The results highlight the need for ongoing surveillance of medication use in residential aged care facilities.
In March 2024, study results from the University of New South Wales found higher levels of AMR in aged care facilities during treatment of urinary tract infections caused by E. coli. This research compared aged care cases with cases collected from hospitals and the wider community. Study authors recommended continual monitoring and analysis of AMR patterns, to guide UTI treatment changes in response to managing AMR.
The important role of on-site pharmacists
Australia has an aging population, the concerns of AMR associated within residential aged care facilities are only likely to increase without action. The ongoing presence and involvement of on-site pharmacists will greatly assist with stronger medication oversight, collaborative communications, and safe prescribing.
The Aged Care On-site pharmacist role description written by the Australian Pharmacy Council addresses the tasks of monitoring, surveillance and analysis of medication, including antimicrobials.: https://www.pharmacycouncil.org.au/resources/pharmacist-education-programs-standards/Indicative-Role-Description.pdf
The provision of these measures will meet the recommendations made by the authors of the recent residential aged care AMR studies to combat AMR in aged care.
Resources:
https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/aged-care-on-site-pharmacist