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Rates of PRN Medication Administration in Australian Residential Aged Care
Picton, Leonie Ilomäki, Jenni Keen, Claire S. Lalic, Samanta Adams, Beverly Clinnick, Lisa M. Kirkpatrick, Carl M. Ryan-Atwood, Taliesin Turner, Justin P. Bell, J. Simon
Picton, Leonie
Ilomäki, Jenni
Keen, Claire S.
Lalic, Samanta
Adams, Beverly
Clinnick, Lisa M.
Kirkpatrick, Carl M.
Ryan-Atwood, Taliesin
Turner, Justin P.
Bell, J. Simon
Abstract
Objective
To investigate administration of pro re nata (PRN) medications and nurse-initiated medications (NIMs) in Australian aged care services over a 12-month period.
Design
Twelve-month longitudinal audit of medication administrations.
Setting and participants
Three hundred ninety-two residents of 10 aged care services in regional Victoria, Australia.
Methods
Records of PRN and NIM administration were extracted from electronic and hard copy medication charts. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate medication administration per person-month. Poisson regression was used to estimate predictors of PRN administration.
Results
Over a median follow-up of 12 months (interquartile range 10–12 months), 93% of residents were administered a PRN medication and 41% of residents an NIM on 21,147 and 552 occasions, respectively. The mean number of any PRN administration was 5.85 per person-month. The most frequently administered PRN medications per person-month were opioids 1.54, laxatives 0.96, benzodiazepines 0.72, antipsychotics 0.48, paracetamol 0.46, and topical preparations 0.42. Three-quarters of residents prescribed a PRN opioid or PRN benzodiazepine and two-thirds of residents prescribed a PRN antipsychotic had the medication administered on 1 or more occasions over the follow-up.
Conclusions and Implications
Most residents were administered PRN medications. Administration was in line with Australian regulations and institutional protocols. However, the high frequency of PRN analgesic, laxative, and psychotropic medication administration highlights the need for regular clinical review to ensure ongoing safe and appropriate use.
Keywords
aged care, nurse-initiated medication, longitudinal, PRN, pro re nata, nursing
Date
2021
Type
Journal article
Journal
Journal of the American Medical Directors Association (JAMDA)
Book
Volume
22
Issue
1
Page Range
117-123
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled