A University of Adelaide research team has secured almost $1 million to build a digital early-warning system designed to stop dangerous medication mishaps in regional areas.
The project, dubbed BRIDGE (Building Rural medication safety through Interdisciplinary, Data-driven, clinical Governance focused on Equity), will be led by Professor Lucie Walters, Director of the University’s Rural Clinical School. The grant comes from the federal Medical Research Future Fund’s 2024 Collaborations in Health Research round.
“Medications can sometimes cause serious problems, like ending up in hospital or even death, and people living in rural and deprived areas are more vulnerable to these problems,” Professor Walters said.
Using patient records and prescribing data, the BRIDGE software will flag residents whose drug combinations or dosages put them at high risk. Local GPs, nurses and pharmacists can then review the findings and adjust treatment before harm occurs.
“We aim to work with rural consumers and healthcare providers to develop a new computer support tool that will help health professionals find people who might be at risk because of their medicines,” Professor Walters explained.
“Doctors, nurses, and pharmacists then can check these medications and make necessary changes to keep rural Australians safe.”
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Anton Middelberg said the grant builds on the university’s long-running focus on regional health. “Through her work with the Adelaide Rural Clinical School, Professor Walters has identified the need for a new way to support patients and practitioners who live outside of metro areas regarding medication safety,” he said.
“BRIDGE aims to address those concerns and help keep people at risk safe, and continues the University of Adelaide’s legacy of improving health outcomes in South Australia and around the world.”
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
