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Cain P, Chejor P, Porock D. Chemical restraint as behavioural euthanasia: case studies from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. BMC Geriatr 2023; 23:444. [PMID: 37468889 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-04116-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prescription of psychotropic medication to older people living with dementia in residential aged care has become an increasing concern. The use of prescription medication is often prefaced as a way of preventing harm to self and others. However, the use of such medications has been considered a way of managing some of the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. Using a large secondary data set, this study aimed to identify the precursors and mediating factors that influence the use of chemical restraint of older people in residential aged care. METHODS Publicly available documents from the Australian Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety were used as the data corpus for this study. Keywords were used to search over 7000 documents to extract a set of topic-related content. We identified the cases of seven people in respite or permanent residential aged care who had been prescribed or administered psychotropic medication under circumstances that appeared to demonstrate chemical restraint. All documents relating to the cases were collated for our data set. A descriptive case study approach to analysis was taken. RESULTS Four key descriptive patterns were identified: labelling and limits to tolerance, pushing prescription as a solution, coverups and avoiding consent, and family's fight for liberty. Triangulation across the data and academic literature supports the findings. CONCLUSION Our findings provide some insight into how chemical restrain happens. Featuring throughout the cases were reports of a lack of workforce capacity to care for and support residents exhibiting dementia behaviours. Prescription of psychotropic medications featured as a "first resort" care solution. Family and friends found such approaches to care unacceptable and frequently challenged the practice. Where consent for prescription was explicitly denied, more covert approaches are demonstrated. Family awareness, presence, and advocacy were key to challenging the practice of chemical restraint. Shortfalls in the capacity of the current workforce come into play here. However, workforce shortcomings can no longer mask this ubiquitous practice. Just as importantly the spotlight needs to be turned on the prescribers and the providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Cain
- Centre for Research in Aged Care, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, 6027, Joondalup, WA, Australia.
| | - Pelden Chejor
- Centre for Research in Aged Care, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, 6027, Joondalup, WA, Australia
| | - Davina Porock
- Centre for Research in Aged Care, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, 6027, Joondalup, WA, Australia
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Farrell
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Elliot Lass
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Granovsky-Gluskin Family Medicine Centre, Ray D. Wolfe Department of Family Medicine, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Paul Moayyedi
- McMaster University Medical Centre, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | | | - Wade Thompson
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Canada
- Research Unit of General Practice, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Dowd LA, Reynolds L, Cross AJ, Veal F, Steeper M, Wanas Z, Wu N, Bell JS. A systematic review of opioid prevalence in Australian residential aged care facilities. Australas J Ageing 2022; 41:501-512. [PMID: 35394708 PMCID: PMC10083958 DOI: 10.1111/ajag.13071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To systematically review the prevalence of opioid prescribing, dispensing and administration in Australian residential aged care facilities (RACFs). METHODS MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, AgeLine, Web of Science Core Collection, InformIT and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (inception to September 2021) were searched for studies reporting opioid prevalence in Australian RACFs. Regular and as-required (i.e. pro re nata, PRN) opioid uses were considered. Screening, data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two review authors. RESULTS Twenty-three studies (n = 286,141 residents) reported opioid prevalence, of which 16 provided overall regular or PRN prescribing, dispensing or administration data. Five studies reported 28%-34% of residents were prescribed regular opioids over assessment periods ranging from one week to one month. Five studies reported 11%-42% of residents were prescribed PRN opioids over assessment periods ranging from one week to 30 months. Three studies reported 27%-50% of residents were dispensed an opioid over 12 months. Five studies reported 21%-29% were administered both regular and PRN opioids over 24 hours. Two studies reported 22%-42% of residents were administered PRN opioids over 1 week to 12 months. Two studies reported 6%-13% of residents were using doses >100 mg oral morphine equivalents/day. CONCLUSIONS Up to half of the residents were dispensed opioids over 12 months. The prevalence of opioid prescribing, dispensing and administration was highly variable, suggesting the potential value of opioid quality indicators and analgesic stewardship interventions to ensure opioid appropriateness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Dowd
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lorenna Reynolds
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Amanda J Cross
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Felicity Veal
- Unit for Medication Outcomes Research & Education (UMORE), School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Michelle Steeper
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Zainab Wanas
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nancy Wu
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - J Simon Bell
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Centre of Research Excellence in Frailty and Healthy Ageing, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Kalisch Ellett LM, Kassie GM, Caughey GE, Pratt NL, Ramsay EN, Roughead EE. Medication-related hospital admissions in aged care residents. Australas J Ageing 2021; 40:e323-e331. [PMID: 34176207 DOI: 10.1111/ajag.12975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of medication-related hospitalisations preceded by potentially suboptimal processes of care in aged care residents. METHOD We conducted a retrospective analysis of administrative claims data from the Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA). We identified all hospital admissions for aged care residents between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2019. The proportion of hospital admissions preceded by potentially suboptimal medication-related processes of care was determined. RESULTS A total of 18 874 hospitalisations were included, and 46% were preceded by potentially suboptimal medication-related care. One-quarter of fracture admissions occurred in residents at risk of fracture who were not using a medicine to prevent fracture, and 87% occurred in residents using falls-risk medicines. Thirty per cent of heart failure admissions occurred in patients who were not using an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker. CONCLUSION Nearly half of hospital admissions were preceded by potentially suboptimal medication-related processes of care. Interventions to improve use of medicines for aged care residents in these areas are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Kalisch Ellett
- Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Gizat M Kassie
- Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Gillian E Caughey
- Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Registry of Senior Australians, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Nicole L Pratt
- Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Emmae N Ramsay
- Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Elizabeth E Roughead
- Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Kosari S, Koerner J, Naunton M, Peterson GM, Haider I, Lancsar E, Wright D, Niyonsenga T, Davey R. Integrating pharmacists into aged care facilities to improve the quality use of medicine (PiRACF Study): protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial. Trials 2021; 22:390. [PMID: 34116708 PMCID: PMC8193166 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-021-05335-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medication management in residential aged care facilities is an ongoing concern. Numerous studies have reported high rates of inappropriate prescribing and medication use in aged care facilities, which contribute to residents' adverse health outcomes. There is a need for new models of care that enhance inter-disciplinary collaboration between residential aged care facility staff and healthcare professionals, to improve medication management. Pilot research has demonstrated the feasibility and benefits of integrating a pharmacist into the aged care facility team to improve the quality use of medicines. This protocol describes the design and methods for a cluster randomised controlled trial to evaluate the outcomes and conduct economic evaluation of a service model where on-site pharmacists are integrated into residential aged care facility healthcare teams to improve medication management. METHODS Intervention aged care facilities will employ on-site pharmacists to work as part of their healthcare teams 2 to 2.5 days per week for 12 months. On-site pharmacists, in collaboration with facility nurses, prescribers, community pharmacists, residents and families will conduct medication management activities to improve the quality use of medicines. Aged care facilities in the control group will continue usual care. The target sample size is 1188 residents from a minimum of 13 aged care facilities. The primary outcome is the appropriateness of prescribing, measured by the proportion of residents who are prescribed at least one potentially inappropriate medicine according to the 2019 Beers Criteria. Secondary outcomes include hospital and emergency department presentations, fall rates, prevalence and dose of antipsychotics and benzodiazepines, Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden Score, staff influenza vaccination rate, time spent on medication rounds, appropriateness of dose form modification and completeness of resident's allergy and adverse drug reaction documentation. A cost-consequence and cost-effectiveness analysis will be embedded in the trial. DISCUSSION The results of this study will provide information on clinical and economic outcomes of a model that integrates on-site pharmacists into Australian residential aged care facilities. The results will provide policymakers with recommendations relevant to further implementation of this model. TRIAL REGISTRATION ACTRN12620000430932 . Registered on 1 April 2020 with ANZCTR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Kosari
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia.
| | - Jane Koerner
- Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia
| | - Mark Naunton
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia
| | - Gregory M Peterson
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia.,School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Ibrahim Haider
- Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia
| | - Emily Lancsar
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - David Wright
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Theo Niyonsenga
- Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia
| | - Rachel Davey
- Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia
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