Addressing the risks of polypharmacy in the community nursing setting.

Abstract

Polypharmacy is a common and growing issue, particularly among older adults with multiple chronic conditions. While polypharmacy is often necessary for managing complex health needs, it can lead to adverse drug reactions, harmful interactions and prescribing cascades, which increase the risk of hospitalisations, disability and death. Nurses play a pivotal role in identifying polypharmacy, monitoring medication use and facilitating communication between patients, prescribers and pharmacists to ensure safe and effective medication management. Addressing polypharmacy requires a collaborative approach across the healthcare system, involving the use of accurate medication lists, deprescribing unnecessary drugs and applying tools such as the STOPP/START criteria for medication reviews. Medication reconciliation, especially during care transitions, is also essential for reducing medication errors and improving patient outcomes. This article explores the impact of polypharmacy, highlights the role of nurses in its management and outlines strategies to mitigate the risks associated with multiple medications. By incorporating shared decision-making, structured medication reviews and improved communication across care teams, healthcare systems can enhance patient safety and optimise medication management for older adults.