Evaluating medication-related quality of care in Australian aged care: A role for collaborative health services

It is predicted that in 2050 there will be one million Australians living in aged care facilities.1 As the residential aged care population grows, the prevalence of age-related disability and disease is also increasing.2 This combination of factors will increase the demand for the aged care sector to provide complex clinical care.3

Medications play a significant role in the provision of care for many Australians, especially those living in aged care. Over 90% of Australians living in aged care take more than five regular medications with the average resident taking 12 distinct medications on a daily basis.4 Fundamental to the provision of clinical services is the process of evaluating how well quality of care is provided to consumers. Evaluating quality of care contributes to the systematic improvement of healthcare services.5 Evidence from research in the Australian residential aged care population suggests that improvements are needed with respect to medication-related quality of care (MRQOC) for this population.4, 6 The use of multiple medications (polypharmacy), overuse of medications with sedative and anticholinergic properties, and medication-related falls are commonly reported.