Medication charts in residential aged-care facilities

Abstract

An aged-care facility should maintain a current, accurate and reliable record of the drugs prescribed and given to a resident. The correct use of a medication chart can meet this requirement. The hard-copy National Residential Medication Chart aims to provide a standard form for the prescription, dispensing and administration of drugs. In addition to providing a comprehensive record, it should facilitate communications between health professionals who are unlikely to visit aged-care facilities at the same time. The chart will also enable pharmacists to supply most drugs without the need for a separate prescription. This should reduce transcription errors and avoid delays in the supply of medicines. There are concerns about the efficiency of using the chart. These could possibly be addressed if an electronic version was developed.