Polypharmacy at a registered aged care facility

Polypharmacy in the elderly increases the risk of adverse events such as behavioural changes, delirium, falls and organ damage. The national prescription rate of antipscyhoticsfor people over 65 yrsis 27%. Appropriate prescribing practice by GPs is essential in reducing risk. The University of Tasmania Teaching in Residential Aged Care (TRAC) was established in 2013, where medical students in their final clinical year complete clinical placements in Aged Care. With significant teaching around best practice use of antipsychotics and benzodiazepines we anticipated reduced use by the residents' primary care practitioners and more regular review.