This report provides supplementary data relevant to Chapter 4 of AURA 2021 - Antimicrobial resistance.

This report includes analyses of antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial use data predominantly collected in 2018 and 2019, and 2020 data from the National Alert System for Critical Antimicrobial Resistances (CARAlert) the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scanning medication administration systems are likely to reduce medication administration error rates, however much of the supporting evidence is of weak quality relying on uncontrolled before-after studies.

The benefits of electronic prescribing systems include improving access to health information and automated prompts and alerts to support clinical decision making. This evidence briefing aims to find out if these system improvements lead to improved patient safety. 

To date there have been relatively few comprehensive evaluations of closed-loop medication systems and their effects. This evidence briefing aims to find out if closed-loop medication management systems reduce dispensing and medication administration errors and improve efficiency.