University of South Australia Launches National Pilot to Enhance Medication Safety in Aged Care

Why Medication Safety Matters in Aged Care

Older adults in residential facilities often take multiple prescriptions, a situation known as polypharmacy. While medications can improve quality of life, they also carry risks of adverse drug events, inappropriate prescriptions and hospital admissions. Recent studies show that more than 90% of residents experience at least one medication‑related problem, and nearly one‑third are admitted to hospital each year because of medication complications. These statistics underscore the urgency of a systematic approach to medication management.

Current Challenges & Statistics

• Polypharmacy prevalence exceeds 70% among aged‑care residents.
• Inappropriate or potentially harmful medicines are prescribed in up to 30% of cases.
• Unplanned hospital admissions linked to medication errors account for about 17% of all such admissions.
• Only a fraction of homes have an on‑site pharmacist—yet the Australian Government’s $350 million Aged Care On‑site Pharmacist Program exists to fill that gap.

Role of Pharmacists in Safe Medication Management

Pharmacists bring specialised knowledge of drug interactions, dosing, and patient‑specific factors. In a residential setting, they conduct medication reviews, liaise with prescribers, and educate residents and staff. However, without a clear evaluation framework, it’s difficult to quantify their impact or to identify areas for improvement. The University of South Australia (UniSA) addresses this gap with a nationally recognised quality framework.

The PHARMA‑Care National Quality Framework

Co‑designed by 14 partners—including the Australian Government, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, and leading academic institutions— the PHARMA‑Care Framework provides a structured method to evaluate medication safety and pharmacist‑led services in aged‑care homes. It builds on the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety findings and aligns with the Australian Government’s Medicare Programs.

Key Components of the Framework

1. Medication Management Domain: Assesses prescribing practices, therapeutic appropriateness, and documentation.
2. Clinical Service Delivery Domain: Examines the scope of pharmacist activities—drug dispensing, monitoring, and patient education.
3. Governance & Leadership Domain: Evaluates how quality indicators are embedded in the organisation’s information systems and reporting mechanisms.
4. Resident & Family Engagement Domain: Measures communication of medication plans to residents and families, and their involvement in decision‑making.
5. Continuous Improvement Domain: Tracks the implementation of corrective actions based on audit findings.

How It Supports On‑site Pharmacists

With the framework, pharmacists gain tools to benchmark performance, document best practices, and present evidence of value to management and regulators. The structure also facilitates discussions with multidisciplinary teams, ensuring that medication decisions are patient‑centred and transparent.

Pilot Study Details and How to Participate

The UniSA pilot aims to apply the PHARMA‑Care Framework across a representative sample of aged‑care homes nationwide. The goal is to generate real‑world data on how structured pharmacist services improve medication safety and resident outcomes.

Who Can Join

• Residential aged‑care facilities that currently employ an on‑site pharmacist or are planning to recruit one.
• Pharmacists with a background in aged‑care medication management.
• Multidisciplinary teams open to integrating structured quality monitoring into their operations.

Implementation Process

Participating facilities will:

• Complete baseline audits using the framework’s quality indicators.
• Establish a data collection schedule (quarterly, semi‑annual).
• Engage in regular feedback sessions with UniSA researchers.
• Implement improvement plans based on audit results.
• Report outcomes to the national monitoring system.

UniSA will provide continuous training, toolkit resources, and data‑analysis support throughout the study period.

Benefits of Participation for Providers and Residents

By engaging in the pilot, aged‑care homes stand to gain measurable benefits:

Improved Clinical Outcomes

• Reduction in medication errors and adverse drug events.
• Lower rates of unplanned hospital admissions linked to medication issues.
• Enhanced adherence to therapeutic guidelines and evidence‑based prescribing.

Enhanced Communication and Resident Choice

• Structured conversations between pharmacists, prescribers, residents, and families.
• Transparent medication plans documented in a central repository.
• Informed consent processes that respect resident autonomy.

Strategic Advantage for the Care Provider

• Data‑driven evidence to support accreditation and inspection outcomes.
• Competitive differentiation highlighted in marketing and community outreach.
• Access to national best‑practice guidelines and peer‑learning networks.

Next Steps and Resources

If your facility or pharmacist is interested in joining the pilot, the process is straightforward:

1. Email [email protected] with an expression of interest.
2. Receive a detailed participation guide and timeline from UniSA.
3. Schedule a kickoff meeting to align on objectives and data collection protocols.
4. Launch the pilot and begin quarterly evaluations.

For more information on the PHARMA‑Care National Quality Framework, visit the official framework document or explore the related publications on UniSA’s research page.

Take the next step in ensuring safer medication practices for our older population. Submit your expression of interest today and contribute to a national benchmark for quality medication usage in aged‑care homes.

Have questions or need guidance on implementing structured medication reviews? Check out our related articles or contact our research team for expert advice.