Resthaven welcomes onsite pharmacists at Malven and Westbourne Park

Optimising the health and wellbeing of residents is a driving force for Resthaven. Residents at Resthaven Westbourne Park, Resthaven Malvern and Resthaven Port Elliot can now see an onsite pharmacist to assist them in managing and optimising their medication, with an Aged Care Onsite Pharmacist (ACOP). 

On-site pharmacists have undergone specialist training which ensures that residents and family members can be confident in discussing their current medications with them, as well as receiving personalised education and information about any new medications.

At Resthaven Westbourne Park, clinical pharmacist Anna Wong from Choice Aged Care will be onsite three days a week and is looking forward to getting to know the residents and helping them to make informed medication choices. There is no cost to residents for this service.

Anna recently met with resident, Mrs Coralie Wright to speak with her about medication interactions, benefits and risks, and also any medications she may no longer need.

‘Residents in aged care homes in Australia have an average of 11 medications prescribed to them,’ Anna says. ‘In some instances, over time, some of these medications are no longer needed, but they remain as part of the resident’s care plan. My role here is to review medication use, provide advice, and answer any questions about medications that residents may have.’

On-site pharmacists will also perform a valuable role in review of the medications that new residents are taking and reconcile any prescribing of new medications if a resident has been to hospital. This ensures better transitions between home and hospital. Anna and other on-site pharmacists that are working with Resthaven will also assist in reviewing prescribing of antimicrobials and high-risk medications such as psychotropics.

Daimon Breeding, also from Choice Aged Care, will provide the same service at Resthaven Malvern two days a week, while Franca Quach from Hayborough Pharmacy provides the service at Port Elliot. Resthaven has plans in place to roll out onsite pharmacists to all Resthaven residential aged care homes.

‘We are pleased to provide this comprehensive resident care with our contractors and to have helped Choice Aged Care reach a milestone– becoming their 100th home to embed a clinical pharmacist,’ Merridy Baylis, Executive Manager Clinical Governance and Operational Excellence says.

In offering an individualised, holistic approach, Anna, Daimon and Franca will support Resthaven’s comprehensive resident care, including coordinating vaccination programs, and will be involved in multidisciplinary case conferences.

‘Resthaven believes that having an onsite pharmacist will enhance medication safety, resident health outcomes and overall quality of care,’ Kelly Geister, Resthaven’s Executive Manager Residential Services says. ‘By providing expert medication management and supporting staff with education and guidance, our onsite pharmacists can have a positive effect on the wellbeing of residents.’

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