Introduction / Overview:

 

This webinar will provide participants the opportunity to reflect & review on their current policies, procedures, practices & outcomes. It aims to provide information & insights that are both aspirational as well as practical & grounded in contemporary thinking. This webinar represents an opportunity not to be missed!

 

The term polypharmacy is a common term but with many definitions. The use of multiple medications is standard practice when treating individuals with one or more co-morbidities. The current medication quality indicator reported quarterly for the Australian Government is one definition being used for polypharmacy. This requires the reporting of the use of 9 or more medicines, with some medicines excluded. Other definitions of polypharmacy include the use of 5 or more medicines, with the term hyperpolypharmacy being used for identifying 9 or more medicines. Polypharmacy and hyperpolypharmacy may be needed for individual people and it is the appropriate use of medicine where we should focus. Masnoon N, Shakib S, Kalisch-Ellett L, Caughey GE. What is polypharmacy? A systematic review of definitions. BMC Geriatr. 2017 Oct 10;17:230.

​

Most guidelines clearly set out when to prescribe certain medications. There are fewer guidelines around when to stop medications. This is referred to as deprescribing. The process of deprescribing is a planned process, that is supervised and involves dose reduction of medications that are causing harm, or no longer be of benefit.
Deprescribing.org [Internet]. [cited 2023 Dec 12]. What is Deprescribing? Available from: https://deprescribing.org/what-is-deprescribing/

​

For older adults, the inappropriate or over use of medicines can impact on their safety, wellbeing, mood, behaviour, quality of life and so much more. Aged Care Organisations (and their staff) have a responsibility to ensure there are robust policies, procedures & practices in relation to medicine stewardship with & for their clients.

​