Health outcomes following provision of Home Medicines Reviews for older people receiving aged care services at home.

Background: The impact of Home Medicines Reviews (HMRs) on long-term health outcomes among individuals receiving long-term in-home aged care services is unknown.

Objectives: To examine associations between HMR provision and hospitalization, long-term care facility (LTCF) entry and mortality among older people receiving long-term in-home aged care services.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included individuals aged 65-105 years from three Australian states who accessed in-home aged care services between 2013 and 2017.

Evaluating a virtual reality dementia training experience using psychophysiological methods: A randomised controlled study.

Objectives: Virtual reality (VR) is increasingly used for training the dementia care workforce. It is unknown whether VR is superior to traditional training techniques in improving dementia care amongst practicing nurses. This study compared the impact of a VR application on nurses' knowledge and attitudes towards people living with dementia, to video-based, non-immersive training.

Medications and cognitive risk in Aboriginal primary care: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are ageing with high rates of comorbidity, yet little is known about suboptimal prescribing in this population.

Aim: The prevalence of potentially suboptimal prescribing and associated risk factors were investigated among older patients attending primary care through Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs).

Methods: Medical records of 420 systematically selected patients aged ≥50 years attending urban, rural and remote health services were audited.

An Evaluation of Zebrafish, an Emerging Model Analyzing the Effects of Toxicants on Cognitive and Neuromuscular Function.

An emerging alternative to conventional animal models in toxicology research is the zebrafish. Their accelerated development, regenerative capacity, transparent physical appearance, ability to be genetically manipulated, and ease of housing and care make them feasible and efficient experimental models. Nonetheless, their most esteemed asset is their 70% (+) genetic similarity with the human genome, which allows the model to be used in a variety of clinically relevant studies.

Impact of a Multifaceted, Pharmacist-Led Intervention on Psychotropic Medication Use for Residents of Aged Care Facilities: A Parallel Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To investigate the effect of a multifaceted intervention on reduction in psychotropic medication use, falls, agitation, emergency department (ED) visits, and hospitalization in residential aged care facilities (RACFs).

Design: Parallel cluster randomized controlled trial. RACFs were randomized to the multifaceted intervention, Medication Management Consultancy (MMC) (n = 5) or control (n = 6) groups.

Bleeding related hospitalizations and mortality in England 2014-2019.

Acute bleeding is common and associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Epidemiological studies evaluating trends in bleeding-related hospitalisations and mortality are important as they have potential to guide resource allocation and service provision, however, despite this literature evaluating the national burden and annual trends are lacking. Our objective was to report the national burden and incidence of bleeding-related hospitalisation and mortality.

Association of Psychotropic Education with Quality of Life: A Before-After Study in Residential Aged Care Facilities.

Background: Improving or maintaining quality of life (QoL) is an important aim for caring for people with dementia living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs).

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of a specific intervention, the Medication Management Consultancy (MMC), on the QoL of residents of RACFs in Western Australia, and to examine the association between psychotropic medications and QoL.

Methods: A before-after study was conducted.

Provision of a comprehensive medicines review is associated with lower mortality risk for residents of aged care facilities: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: no studies have examined the impact of residential medication management review (RMMR, a 24-year government subsidised comprehensive medicines review program) in Australian residential aged care facilities (RACFs) on hospitalisation or mortality.

Objective: to examine associations between RMMR provision in the 6-12 months after RACF entry and the 12-month risk of hospitalisation and mortality among older Australians in RACFs.

Design: retrospective cohort study.

Medicines use before and after comprehensive medicines review among residents of long-term care facilities: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR) is a subsidized comprehensive medicines review program for individuals in Australian residential aged care facilities (RACFs). This study examined weekly trends in medicines use in the four months before and after an RMMR and among a comparison group of residents who did not receive an RMMR.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included individuals aged 65 to 105 years who first entered permanent care between 1/1/2012 and 31/12/2016 in South Australia, Victoria, or New South Wales, and were taking at least one medicine.

Pattern of prescription of psychotropics (antipsychotics, antidepressants and benzodiazepines) in Western Australian residential aged care facilities.

Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia are exhibited by up to 90% of residents in aged care facilities and are associated with a risk of inappropriate use of psychotropic drugs. This study examined the prevalence pattern of psychotropic drug use in 409 residents from 11 residential aged care facilities in Western Australia. Sixty-four (n = 64; 15.

Aged care staff perceptions of an online training program for responsive behaviours of residents with dementia.

Objective: To explore residential aged care staff perceptions of an online training program on the management of antipsychotic medications for responsive behaviour in residential aged care.

Methods: A qualitative process evaluation was undertaken in four residential aged care facilities of one organisation in Australia. Five focus group interviews were conducted with 25 participants including nurses, care workers, occupational therapists and assistants.

Outcomes and anticoagulation use for elderly patients that present with an acute hip fracture: multi-centre, retrospective analysis.

Background: Hip fractures are a common problem and corrective surgery is recommended within 24 h. However, most peri-operative direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) guidelines suggest a washout period of 48 h before major surgery. There are limited data on utility of drug levels.

Optimisation of medications used in residential aged care facilities: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Background: Frail older adults living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) usually experience comorbidities and are frequently prescribed multiple medications. This increases the potential risk of inappropriate prescribing and its negative consequences. Thus, optimising prescribed medications in RACFs is a challenge for healthcare providers.

General practitioners' perceptions on home medicines reviews: a qualitative analysis.

Background: Home Medicines Review (HMR) is an Australian initiative introduced in 2001 to improve quality use of medicines. Medication management services such as HMRs have the potential to reduce medication related problems. In 2011, changes to the HMR program were introduced to allow for referrals directly to accredited pharmacists in addition to the community pharmacy referral model.

Repeatable antibiotic prescriptions: an assessment of patient attitudes, knowledge and advice from health professionals.

Background: Previous Australian research has identified that general practice software systems appear to be associated with an increase in repeatable antibiotic prescriptions. Such prescriptions potentially facilitate the use of antibiotics without medical consultation and may be inconsistent with attempts to promote prudent use of antimicrobials.

Aims: We sought to assess knowledge and attitudes to antibiotics amongst patients presenting with a repeatable prescription; and the provision of supporting advice from healthcare professionals regarding use of these repeats.

DOCUMENT: a system for classifying drug-related problems in community pharmacy.

Background: Drug-related problems (DRPs) are a major burden on the Australian healthcare system. Community pharmacists are in an ideal position to detect, prevent, and resolve these DRPs. Objective To develop and validate an easy-to-use documentation system for pharmacists to classify and record DRPs, and to investigate the nature and frequency of clinical interventions undertaken by Australian community pharmacists to prevent or resolve them.

Drug-related problems identified in post-discharge medication reviews for patients taking warfarin.

Objective: To characterise the nature of the drug-related problems with warfarin therapy identified in pharmacist-conducted medication reviews during a collaborative post-discharge warfarin management service, with a focus on potentially serious drug interactions.

Setting: Australian community pharmacy practice.

Method: Medication review reports submitted by pharmacists to patients' general practitioners as part of the service were reviewed and the type and clinical significance of the warfarin-associated drug-related problems, and the pharmacists' recommendations were classified.

Drug-related problems identified in medication reviews by Australian pharmacists.

Objective: In Australia, accredited pharmacists perform medication reviews for patients to identify and resolve drug-related problems. We analysed the drug-related problems identified in reviews for both home-dwelling and residential care-facility patients. The objective of this study was to examine the number and nature of the drug-related problems identified and investigate differences between each type of review.