Pharmacy Daily | Framework to support safer transitions of care

THE Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has released a Medication Management at Transitions of Care Stewardship Framework to support safe and high-quality medication management at transitions of care.

Designed for healthcare professionals working in the acute, primary or aged care sectors, the framework aims to improve communication between the different settings, and ultimately reduce the risk of medication-related harm during transitions of care.

"Medication management at transitions of care is a period of high risk for medication errors and miscommunication, which can lead to harm," the Commission stated, pointing out that more than 50% of medication errors occur around transition of care.

Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPha) has welcomed the release of the framework, calling for its immediate implementation across all Australian hospitals and health services.

Katie Phillips, Chair of AdPha's Transitions of Care and Primary Care Leadership Committee and member of the expert project advisory group overseeing development of the framework, said it highlights the need for "robust coordination" across all care settings, with pharmacists playing a key role.

"Transitions of care are one of the riskiest points for medication errors and miscommunication - and too often, that risk leads to patient harm," Phillips said.

"This new Stewardship Framework is a long-awaited and very welcome step.

"It provides a robust, practical guide that organisations can adapt to their local needs, and it shines a national spotlight on an area of patient care where pharmacists can make a profound difference."

The framework responds to the World Health Organization's Global Patient Safety Challenge - Medication Without Harm, which prioritises reducing medicine-related harm and preventable readmissions.

Access the framework HERE. KB