Implementation of an intervention to reduce urine dipstick testing in aged care homes: a qualitative study of enablers and barriers, and strategies to enhance delivery.

Objective: The 'To Dip or Not to Dip' (TDONTD) intervention aims to reduce antibiotic prescribing for urinary tract infection (UTI) by reducing low-value dipstick testing. The aims of this study were to use a qualitative approach to (1) evaluate potential influences on the delivery of the TDONTD intervention in Australian residential aged care homes (RACHs) by identifying perceived barriers and enablers to delivery and acceptance; and (2) propose intervention strategies to address barriers and enhance enablers.

Design: A qualitative before-after process evaluation of a multisite implementation study using interviews with nurse and pharmacist implementers.

Factors Associated with Psychotropic Medication Use in People Living with Dementia in the Community: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: There has been considerable focus on the use of psychotropic agents in people living with dementia in long-term care. However, psychotropic use often commences well before transitioning to long-term care.

Objectives: To synthesize the available literature to identify factors associated with psychotropic medication use in people living with dementia in the community.

Medication-Related Complaints in Residential Aged Care.

Complaints reflect a person's or family's experience within the aged care system and provide important insight into community expectations and consumer priorities. Crucially, when aggregated, complaints data can serve to indicate problematic trends in care provision. Our objective was to characterize the areas of medication management most frequently complained about in Australian residential aged care services from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020.

Community expectations of a village for people living with dementia.

Small-scale models of dementia care are a progressive approach to improve care for people living with dementia. These models intend to provide a home-like environment with a small number of residents in each living unit, easy access to services and facilities, a dedicated team of staff and flexible routines. This study was undertaken during the construction phase of a new village and provided a unique opportunity to explore expectations of the village among the local community.

Antipsychotic prescribing in people admitted to hospital with dementia or delirium.

Objective: To evaluate antipsychotic prescribing in people with dementia or delirium admitted to a large regional Queensland hospital.

Methods: A retrospective observational study analysing medical records of patients prescribed antipsychotics over 6 months.

Results: We audited a sample of 141 patients, 65 years or over (over 45 years for indigenous peoples) with dementia or delirium, without severe mental illness, prescribed antipsychotics.

Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Restraint Use in Aged Care.

Restraint use in Australian residential aged care has been highlighted by the media, and investigated by researchers, government and advocacy bodies. In 2018, the Royal Commission into Aged Care selected 'Restraint' as a key focus of inquiry. Subsequently, Federal legislation was passed to ensure restraint is only used in residential aged care services as the 'last resort'.

Rapid realist review of the role of community pharmacy in the public health response to COVID-19.

Introduction: Community pharmacists and their teams have remained accessible to the public providing essential services despite immense pressures during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have successfully expanded the influenza vaccination programme and are now supporting the delivery of the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out.

Aim: This rapid realist review aims to understand how community pharmacy can most effectively deliver essential and advanced services, with a focus on vaccination, during the pandemic and in the future.

Distributive health literacy and medication management: A longitudinal qualitative study with Bhutanese former refugees in Tasmania.

Issue Addressed: Tasmania, Australia is home to a population of Bhutanese former refugees who have resettled since 2007. Their refugee journey and disrupted education opportunities have resulted in gaps in literacy in their primary language (Nepali), and many suffer one or more chronic conditions (ongoing communicable or noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)). This research explored how this community perceives chronic conditions and managed their medication using the concept of distributed health literacy.

A missed opportunity to improve practice around the use of restraints and consent in residential aged care: Limitations of the Quality of Care Amendment (Minimising the Use of Restraints) Principles 2019.

Objective: To explore the meaning and potential role of new Quality of Care Amendment (Minimising the Use of Restraints) Principles 2019, (Principles) which amend Quality of Care Principles 2014 in improving practice around physical and chemical restraint.

Methods: We examined both Principles and accompanying Explanatory Statement in light of best practices around consent and use of chemical and physical restraint.

Results: The chemical restraint definition is problematic by exclusion of medications for treating mental disorders, physical illness or physical conditions, which is not considered restraint.