Wed 17 September 2025
AdPha hails landmark framework to support safer transitions of care
The Medication Management at Transitions of Care Stewardship Framework provides practical guidance to reduce medication errors at care transitions.
Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPha) today welcomes the release of a landmark framework to support safer transitions of care calling for its immediate implementation across all Australian hospitals and health services.
Released this week by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC), the Medication Management at Transitions of Care Stewardship Framework responds to the WHO’s Global Patient Safety Challenge – Medication Without Harm, which prioritises reducing medicine-related harm and preventable readmissions. In Australia, medication errors cause over 250,000 hospital admissions each year, with half occurring during transitions of care.
The Framework aims to strengthen coordinated governance and optimise safe, appropriate medicines management during transitions of care, reduce hospital readmissions caused by discharge medication errors, and improve referral pathways to primary and community healthcare providers for safer patient outcomes.
Katie Phillips FANZCAP (ToC, PrimCare), Chair of AdPha's Transitions of Care and Primary Care Leadership Committee and member of the expert project advisory group overseeing development of the framework, says the framework highlights the need for robust coordination across all care settings with pharmacists playing a key role.
‘Transitions of care are one of the riskiest points for medication errors and miscommunication — and too often, that risk leads to patient harm.
This new Stewardship Framework is a long-awaited and very welcome step. It provides a robust, practical guide that organisations can adapt to their local needs, and it shines a national spotlight on an area of patient care where pharmacists can make a profound difference.’
AdPha Head of Policy and Advocacy Jerry Yik FANZCAP (Lead&Mgmt., PublicHlth), who represents AdPha on the University of Sydney’s TIC TOC study team (Timely postdischarge medication reviews to Improve Continuity—the Transitions Of Care stewardship study in rural and regional Australia) which undertook the literature review and environment scan to inform the framework, welcomed its recognition of existing evidence-informed resources.
‘It’s encouraging to see this framework build on proven, evidence-based standards.
‘Resources like AdPha’s Clinical Pharmacy Standards, Transitions of Care Standards and Transitions of Care Resource Kit which we developed recently in partnership with The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) show what’s possible when organisations work together to align policy with practice — better, safer care for patients right across the health system.’
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care’s Medication Management at Transitions of Care Stewardship Framework is now available.