Research shows an increased risk of hip fracture for patients taking SSRIs, opioids, benzodiazepines and antipsychotics when used in isolation or combined. The latest release Medicines: the hidden contributor to falls and hip fractures focuses on reducing the adverse impact of medicines. To find out more, visit Falls Prevention

The Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has updated its Wound Care Module. DVA has partnered with medical specialists to provide comprehensive information on the identification and treatment of wounds typically suffered by the veteran population. It includes a quick reference guide, The Wound Identification and Dressing Selection Chart. The DVA Wound Care Module is available at: www.dva.gov.au/documents-and-publications/wound-care-module

This coincides with the latest release of Veterans’ MATES, Wound management: Putting the pressure on venous leg ulcers and reducing the risk of skin tears. This topic highlights the importance of using compression therapy for the treatment and prevention of venous leg ulcers, and the application of a moisturiser twice a day to reduce the risk of skin tears in older veterans. To find out more, visit Wound care.

Pulmonary rehabilitation is an evidence based, multidisciplinary intervention that is strongly recommended for patients with COPD irrespective of the severity or stage of their disease. The first Australian and New Zealand Pulmonary Rehabilitation Guidelines were released in February 2017 providing a summary of evidence and key recommendations http://lungfoundation.com.au/health-professionals/guidelines/the-australia-and-new-zealand-pulmonary-rehabilitation-guidelines/

This release coincides with the latest Veterans’ MATES, Keeping your COPD patients well this winter. This topic highlights the interventions that can help prevent exacerbations and improve the wellbeing of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It also includes Setting up a pulmonary rehabilitation program, which outlines how to set up a program using locally available resources.

For more information about the latest release, visit Keeping your COPD patients well this winter.

A Home Medicines Review (HMR), conducted by an accredited pharmacist in collaboration with the patient, can help patients better understand, organise and safely manage their medicines in the home.

The latest release of Veterans’ MATES includes information about the HMR process including:

• How will an HMR benefit my patient
• Who is eligible for an HMR and the patients most likely to benefit
• How to get the best out of the HMR for your patient
• How the pharmacist can simplify a dosing schedule during an HMR

See Not sure of the Home Medicines Review process?

For more information about the latest release which focuses on steps to reduce a complex medicine regimen and how a HMR can help, visit Pausing to review the medicine regimen

Recent Veterans’ MATES research has found that taking more anticholinergic medicines is associated with greater risk of hospitalisation for confusion or dementia. This research helped inform our recent topic “Thinking clearly about the anticholinergic burden”.

Would like to find out more?

• See our research article that was recently published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
• Visit Topic 39: Thinking clearly about the anticholinergic burden

Visit our publications page for a full list of Veterans’ MATES academic publications

Remember to always talk to your doctor before starting, changing or stopping a medicine, including complementary or herbal medicines.