Medication safety in action 

Medication safety is crucial to avoid harm and make sure patients get the correct treatment when they need it. Across the district, a number of medication safety initiatives are being implemented to improve care and help keep patients safe.  

Partnered pharmacist medication charting 

St George Hospital started a new program this year called Partnered Pharmacist Medication Charting (PPMC). It helps ensure patients’ medications are recorded accurately when they’re admitted, with clear plans and good communication between healthcare staff. This reduces mistakes, lowers costs and helps make hospital stays shorter. 

Emergency departments across the District are seeing benefits like fewer medication errors, better patient care, and more efficient use of doctors’ and pharmacists’ time. 

The pilot involved 30 patients and found only one minor error out of 309 medication orders. Feedback from staff was very positive, with a few suggestions for improvement. 

This model is now being embedded as standard practice across St George Hospital. Prince of Wales Hospital will start its own pilot soon. 

Optimising treatment of COVID-19 in our hospitals 

COVID-19 has impacted people worldwide, especially those with weak immune systems or other health conditions. These patients often take multiple medications, which increases the risk of drug interactions with COVID-19 medicines. 

To ensure medications for COVID-19 are used safely and appropriately, a quick reference guide is being developed to make it easier for clinicians to identify and manage these potential drug interactions. 

A medication review is conducted prior to prescribing Paxlovid® for patients with COVID-19. If drug interactions are identified that can’t be safely mitigated, a pharmacist will be consulted to recommend appropriate alternative therapies. 

19 August 2025