The prevalence and perceived effectiveness of using a medication‐swallowing lubricant in aged care facilities across Australia
Abstract Objective To explore the extent of use and perceived effectiveness of using a medication lubricant that is specifically designed to help people who struggle to swallow their solid medications whole. Method Health care workers of varying professional levels in aged care facilities (ACFs) acr...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Aging Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/agm2.12261 |
| _version_ | 1797687218428444672 |
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| author | Marwa A. Malouh Aida Sefidani Forough Julie A. Y. Cichero Esther T. L. Lau Lisa M. Nissen Kathryn J. Steadman |
| author_facet | Marwa A. Malouh Aida Sefidani Forough Julie A. Y. Cichero Esther T. L. Lau Lisa M. Nissen Kathryn J. Steadman |
| author_sort | Marwa A. Malouh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objective To explore the extent of use and perceived effectiveness of using a medication lubricant that is specifically designed to help people who struggle to swallow their solid medications whole. Method Health care workers of varying professional levels in aged care facilities (ACFs) across Australia who are involved in medication administration were invited to participate in a structured online survey. Results Of the 355 health care workers who completed the survey, 48% had used the medication lubricant to aid administration of whole and/or crushed solid oral dosage forms, and of these 89% agreed with the statement that “it is effective method to facilitate medication swallowing in residents.” The main benefits of using the medication lubricant were considered to be easier medication administration to residents (49%), reduction in need for crushing of medications (34%), and better adherence with medications (33%). Conclusions This study showed that using a medication lubricant for aged care residents may facilitate the process of medication administration for health care workers, which they perceive to improve residents' adherence with medications. Serious complications associated with solid dosage form modification may also be decreased by using a medication lubricant, as the need for modifying medications is reduced. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)‐approved medication lubricants could therefore be a valuable tool to aid the medication administration for patients who have difficulties swallowing medications. Future research may consider the clinical efficacy and acceptability of medication lubricants specifically for people with swallowing difficulties. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T01:16:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d092f3b6b40044dfbab51db49c89f9f6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2475-0360 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T01:16:03Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aging Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-d092f3b6b40044dfbab51db49c89f9f62023-09-13T13:06:02ZengWileyAging Medicine2475-03602023-09-016323924410.1002/agm2.12261The prevalence and perceived effectiveness of using a medication‐swallowing lubricant in aged care facilities across AustraliaMarwa A. Malouh0Aida Sefidani Forough1Julie A. Y. Cichero2Esther T. L. Lau3Lisa M. Nissen4Kathryn J. Steadman5School of Pharmacy The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland AustraliaSchool of Clinical Sciences Queensland University of Technology Brisbane Queensland AustraliaSchool of Pharmacy The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland AustraliaSchool of Pharmacy The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland AustraliaSchool of Pharmacy The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland AustraliaSchool of Pharmacy The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland AustraliaAbstract Objective To explore the extent of use and perceived effectiveness of using a medication lubricant that is specifically designed to help people who struggle to swallow their solid medications whole. Method Health care workers of varying professional levels in aged care facilities (ACFs) across Australia who are involved in medication administration were invited to participate in a structured online survey. Results Of the 355 health care workers who completed the survey, 48% had used the medication lubricant to aid administration of whole and/or crushed solid oral dosage forms, and of these 89% agreed with the statement that “it is effective method to facilitate medication swallowing in residents.” The main benefits of using the medication lubricant were considered to be easier medication administration to residents (49%), reduction in need for crushing of medications (34%), and better adherence with medications (33%). Conclusions This study showed that using a medication lubricant for aged care residents may facilitate the process of medication administration for health care workers, which they perceive to improve residents' adherence with medications. Serious complications associated with solid dosage form modification may also be decreased by using a medication lubricant, as the need for modifying medications is reduced. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)‐approved medication lubricants could therefore be a valuable tool to aid the medication administration for patients who have difficulties swallowing medications. Future research may consider the clinical efficacy and acceptability of medication lubricants specifically for people with swallowing difficulties.https://doi.org/10.1002/agm2.12261adverse drug eventsaged care facilitiesmedication lubricantoral dosage formsswallowing difficulties |
| spellingShingle | Marwa A. Malouh Aida Sefidani Forough Julie A. Y. Cichero Esther T. L. Lau Lisa M. Nissen Kathryn J. Steadman The prevalence and perceived effectiveness of using a medication‐swallowing lubricant in aged care facilities across Australia Aging Medicine adverse drug events aged care facilities medication lubricant oral dosage forms swallowing difficulties |
| title | The prevalence and perceived effectiveness of using a medication‐swallowing lubricant in aged care facilities across Australia |
| title_full | The prevalence and perceived effectiveness of using a medication‐swallowing lubricant in aged care facilities across Australia |
| title_fullStr | The prevalence and perceived effectiveness of using a medication‐swallowing lubricant in aged care facilities across Australia |
| title_full_unstemmed | The prevalence and perceived effectiveness of using a medication‐swallowing lubricant in aged care facilities across Australia |
| title_short | The prevalence and perceived effectiveness of using a medication‐swallowing lubricant in aged care facilities across Australia |
| title_sort | prevalence and perceived effectiveness of using a medication swallowing lubricant in aged care facilities across australia |
| topic | adverse drug events aged care facilities medication lubricant oral dosage forms swallowing difficulties |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/agm2.12261 |
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