$4.4 million in funding for AI tool to improve medication safety in aged care

Dr Nasir Wabe. Photo: Macquarie University
A new project that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce over-medication in aged care has been awarded $4.4 million in funding. The grant, from the Medical Research Future Fund, will help researchers develop an innovative AI tool aimed at improving medication safety and ensuring better care for older Australians.
Dr. Nasir Wabe, a researcher at Macquarie University’s Australian Institute of Health Innovation, is leading the project. He and his team will work with several partners, including BestMed, Choice Aged Care, Anglicare, and more, to develop and test this new AI-powered platform.
Professor Sakkie Pretorius, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research at Macquarie University, explained that this research could significantly improve the safety and quality of care for older Australians. “AI technology holds great potential to help clinicians make better, more informed decisions about medications, which is crucial for the well-being of residents in aged care,” he said.
What is deprescribing and how does AI help?
Deprescribing refers to the process of reducing or stopping medications that are no longer necessary or could be causing harm. This is done under strict supervision to ensure the safety of the patient. In aged care, deprescribing can be challenging due to factors like multiple health conditions, communication gaps between healthcare providers, and hesitance to adjust medication regimens.
Dr. Wabe’s project aims to overcome these challenges by integrating AI into the daily workflows of healthcare providers. The AI platform will offer personalized, data-driven insights that help clinicians make safer, more confident decisions about which medications to reduce or stop.
“The vast amount of electronic health data in aged care is a huge opportunity for AI to make a real difference in medication safety,” said Dr. Wabe. The AI tool will provide clinicians with valuable information to support their decision-making, ultimately helping to reduce unnecessary medications and improve overall care for older Australians.
The project is a collaborative effort, with key researchers from several leading universities and health networks across Australia, including the University of Western Australia, University of Queensland, and University of Sydney, among others.