According to recent research, pharmacies located inside of nursing homes are safer for the residents.
In 49 homes across the UK, onsite pharmacies were tested as part of a six-year study by the University of Leicester.
The study, which was reported in the BMJ, also suggested that some doctors of medicine had lighter workloads.
A significant decrease in potential future medication harm, according to the professor who co-led the study.
The university and NHS Norfolk Waveney collaborated to lead the study, which was dubbed Care Home Independent Pharmacist Prescriber Study (CHIPPS).
It was discovered that the average number of medications prescribed to residents of nursing homes was eight or more.
Both the government and regulatory organizations view medication use as one of the major areas of risk in care home settings.
One study, according to researchers, suggested that 70% of nursing home residents made drug mistakes every day. Interventions to help improve the management of medications have also been frequently requested.
In homes throughout England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, CHIPPS carried out a randomised controlled trial.
25 independently prescribing pharmacists with specialized training who were integrated into homes as part of the study to enhance medication management and safety were involved.
The study discovered that the pharmacists' presence reduced harm and was well-liked by GPs, care home managers, care homes, and residents.
"I am thrilled that the culmination of this six-year program of work, undertaken by an incredible group of researchers, clinicians, and patient representatives, has produced this result," said project leader David Wright, a professor of health services research and dean of the university's school of healthcare. .
"Additionally, some GPs reported that our pharmacist-led intervention reduced their workload because the pharmacist prescribers took on some of the GPs' care home responsibilities, and the GPs no longer had to routinely review and authorise large numbers of repeat prescriptions.
The findings encourage the expansion of the pharmacist's current responsibilities in nursing homes to include prescription writing and regular visits because doing so lowers the risk of medication-related harm in the future and aids in the management of medications by nursing homes. ".
A significant decrease in potential future medication harm is, according to Prof. Richard Holland, one of the project's co-leaders. a harbinger of potential therapeutic advantages.
"This study offers crucial support for the creation of care delivery models in nursing homes, which we believe ought to include independent prescribers who are pharmacists. ".
The study also investigated whether on-site pharmacies might significantly lower the number of falls among residents of nursing homes, but it found no significant effect.
Even though it was discouraging that we did not significantly reduce falls, Prof. Holland said that the process evaluation gave a possible explanation. .
"Less than 25 percent of pharmacist interventions were found to potentially increase the likelihood of falls, while the remaining 15 percent decreased it.
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