Post-discharge medicines service

The post-discharge medicines service aims to:

  • support people with complex medication needs to connect with a community pharmacist
  • reduce avoidable readmissions by providing medication reconciliation and support after discharge from hospital

Program commencement

The post-discharge medicines service has commenced for eligible patients living in designated postcode areas only. Patients will be asked if they would like to participate in the service during their hospital admission.

  • Flinders Medical Centre – residential postcodes 5164 and 5168 (Christie Downs/Noarlunga area) and 5163 (Hackham/Huntfield Heights/Onkaparinga Hills area).
  • Royal Adelaide Hospital – residential postcodes 5013, 5014 and 5015 (Port Adelaide area)
    Pharmacies located within 1.5km of the designated postcode areas have been invited to participate in the initiative.

In late 2024, the service will be expanded to include other community pharmacies and patients residing in other areas across South Australia, with a target to deliver at least 1,000 community pharmacist-conducted medication reviews per annum.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the post-discharge medicines service pilot program, the person must:

  • be aged 65 years or older, or 40 years or older if Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander; OR
    be considered by the care team to be at risk of experiencing medication misadventure (e.g. recurrent hospital admissions, social/behavioural concerns)

and

  • be recently discharged home from Flinders Medical Centre (FMC) or Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) to their home (patients living in assisted care facilities are ineligible)

and

  • meet at least one of the following criteria:
    • using nine or more medicines on a regular basis
    • prescribed a high-risk medicine (e.g. insulin, opioid or other sedative, oral chemotherapy, anticoagulant)
    • prescribed a new long-term medicine or has experienced a significant change to their usual medication regimen during their inpatient admission
    • have self-identified concerns regarding their medication regimen.

What to expect using the post-discharge medicines service

Once the person is taking part in the service, the community pharmacist will provide an action plan and updated medication list, if required. This information will also be shared with the person’s general practitioner to assist them to support the patient with their medication management.

People involved will be able to address concerns or questions about their medicines with a community pharmacist.

Further information

For more information about the service, see: