Pharmacist-led medication review in a residential in-reach service leads to deprescribing.

Objective: To examine the effect of a pharmacist-led medication review on deprescribing medications in a Residential In-Reach (RIR) service which provides acute care substitution to residential aged care residents.

Methods: A pre-post observational study was conducted. Patient characteristics and admission and discharge medications were collected over two 3-month phases before (prephase) and after (postphase) the introduction of a pharmacist who performed a comprehensive medication review and provided deprescribing recommendations.

Initial experiences of an in-reach service providing iron infusions in residential aged care facilities.

Objective: To examine the feasibility of developing an in-reach parenteral iron infusion service to residents of residential aged care facilities (RACFs).

Methods: An audit comparing the use of iron infusions in RACFs prior to and following the introduction of an in-reach iron infusion service.

Results: Of the 738 inpatient iron infusions administered to inpatients ≥65 years in the 12 months prior to the in-reach service, 52 (7%) lived in an RACF, with no significant adverse events reported.

Association between religious practice and risk of depression in older people in the subacute setting.

Objective: To identify the association between religious practice and risk of depression in older people admitted to a subacute hospital.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 100 patients aged ≥65 years with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores ≥24 consecutively admitted to a subacute hospital. Religious practice was measured using the Duke University Religion Index and risk of depression using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).