RESIDENTS in aged care facilities are especially vulnerable to infections for many reasons, according to a newly released report coinciding with Antimicrobial Awareness Week.
Special risks for residents relate to their compromised immune status, multiple co-morbidities and poor functional status.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are particularly common and challenging to identify as symptoms may be atypical.
The 2017 Aged Care National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey published by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare (CLICK HERE) identified high rates of inappropriate antimicrobial use, with UTIs as the most common reason for prescribing.
The survey also found 32% of residents prescribed an antimicrobial did not have signs of infection and 24% of all antimicrobial prescriptions did not have the indication documented.
NPS Medicinewise says pharmacies that use Webstercare's Medication Management Software can analyse resident medication data to help identify patterns of antibiotic use.
The RACF Medicinewise report provides measurements to guide appropriate antibiotic use for UTIs, access to clinical support, antimicrobial use comparisons data and lists residents who may benefit from a review of their medicines.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 19 Nov 18
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