Factors that affect health-care workers' practices of medication administration to aged care residents with swallowing difficulties: An Australia-wide survey study

Abstract

Objectives: To understand the barriers and facilitators of medication administration to aged care residents with swallowing difficulties.

Methods: Health-care workers in aged care facilities across Australia involved in medication administration to residents completed an online survey.

Results: Of 355 respondents, 90.9% reported 'everyday' encounters with residents with swallowing difficulties and 94.1% modified medications to facilitate administration. Time constraints (63.4%) and workload (69.0%) were common barriers. Only 39.0% believed swallowing abilities are considered at the prescribing stage. Pill size (95.8%), polypharmacy (75.2%) and lack of alternative formulations (74.9%) contributed to these challenges. Support from other health-care professionals (91.5%) and training (85.9%) were the most favoured facilitators.

Conclusion: Health-care workers are faced with various challenges when caring for residents with swallowing difficulties. Promoting multidisciplinary collaborations, provision of training and medication review services, and improving skill mix and staffing composition in aged care facilities are needed to address these challenges.

Keywords: aged; deglutition disorders; dosage forms; geriatric nursing; oral administration.