Improve medication safety at discharge with the OPTMED-D project

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Content last updated 24/11/2025

Improve medication safety at discharge with the OPTMED-D project

The University of Queensland wants to improve medication safety at discharge

Introducing OPTMED-D project

The University of Queensland is launching a clinical trial in December 2025 to test a multifaceted intervention designed to improve communication between health professionals during a patient’s transition from hospital to community care.

They are inviting GPs and pharmacists in selected catchment areas to participate. To express interest or learn more, please contact them at OPTMED-D@uq.edu.au or refer to their project website.

This trial will target 20 postcodes within the Metro South and Gold Coast catchment areas, selected based on high rates of hospital readmissions over the past six months.

Key features for pharmacists:

  • Participating pharmacists will conduct a post-discharge MedsCheck or Home Medicine Review (HMR) for at-risk patients and share their findings with the patients’ GPs
  • Community pharmacies completing a post-discharge MedsCheck will receive an additional $30 remuneration plus a $5 administration fee for each review
  • Pharmacists will be provided with training resources that may be used for CPD.

Key features for GPs:

  • GPs in the catchment areas will be asked to refer high-risk patients for HMRs, conducted by credentialled pharmacists.
  • HMR results and post-discharge MedsCheck outcomes will be shared with GPs to inform ongoing patient care.
  • GPs may be able claim the time reviewing results as a reviewing performance CPD activity.

The University of Queensland believes this innovative intervention can significantly reduce 30-day hospital readmissions by fostering better communication among health professionals.