A year-long study of 57,719 residents who entered residential aged care found that those who had a GP-approved medication review had a 4.4% lower risk of death.
The study led by Dr Janet Sluggett, of UniSA Allied Health and Human Performance at the University of South Australia in Adelaide, looked at residents aged from 65 to 105 years of age who were taking at least one dose of medicine and spent at least six months in the aged care home.
12,603 (21.8%) of residents received a Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR) during the study period.
A RMMR is a Medical Benefits Schedule item for permanent residents of a residential aged care facility whereby a GP and a pharmacist agree to review the medication management needs of a resident.
In December 2020, The SOURCE reported only one in five aged care residents sought a government-funded medication review.
The study was completed in response to the recommendation from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which called for an evaluation of the medication review system.
