A new national framework has been launched to help Australian health services reduce medication-related errors and hospital readmissions for patients transitioning between care settings.
Developed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, the Medication Management at Transitions of Care Stewardship Framework outlines the first coordinated, hospital-based approach to improve medication safety during a period deemed high-risk.
Why it matters
Reportedly, each year around 250,000 hospital admissions in Australia are linked to medication-related errors, costing the health system approximately $1.4 billion.
It’s said that more than 50% of these errors occur when patients transition between hospital, primary care, and aged care settings.
The framework’s objectives
The framework promotes identifying patients at high risk of medication-related problems, such as those aged over 65, taking 5-plus medications or using high-risk medicines, and implementing a structured stewardship model.
The stewardship model includes comprehensive medication reconciliation, regular medication review and early discharge planning and liaison.
Strengthening communication between healthcare providers
Dr Phoebe Holdenson Kimura, Medical Advisor to the Commission and a general practitioner, says the Commission recognised the opportunities for clinicians to implement the Framework and utilise digital solutions to strengthen existing approaches, processes, and clinical best practices.
“There is a real opportunity for hospital clinicians to adopt the new Framework and take action to strengthen communication with the primary and aged care sectors,” says Dr Holdenson Kimura.
“We know that a lot of hospitals are very good at mitigating risk for medication error.
“The release of this Framework creates an opportunity for health services to review and build on their approaches.
“The Framework is designed to be incorporated into existing systems and clinical practice to enhance medication governance, improve communication, and facilitate timely, collaborative post-discharge medication review, especially for high-risk and vulnerable patients.”
A proactive approach to patient care
Dr Holdenson Kimura says the framework supports emergency departments in identifying people at high risk of medication-related problems and prioritising them for medication reviews throughout their hospital stay.
This proactive approach reduces medication errors at admission, during a hospital stay and at discharge.
“At our clinic, we always welcome a phone call from the GP or practice nurse from the treating team before a patient is discharged back into our care,” she says.
“This allows a conversation where significant medication changes can be identified, and I see the patient within days of their discharge to reduce
the risk of medication-related harm.”
Digital tools are the key
Digital tools are the key to reaching the potential of the framework, says the Commission.
Health services are encouraged to adopt safe, high-quality digital tools to strengthen communication between clinicians across settings and improve medication management at transitions of care.
“Digital enablement will be key to realising the full potential of the framework – but these digital tools need to be interoperable to enable accurate and timely communication,” says Dr Holdenson Kimura.
The framework aligns with Australia’s response to the World Health Organisation’s Global Patient Safety Challenge: Medication Without Harm, which aims to reduce avoidable medication-related harm by 50% over the 5 years to 2024.
