EVIDENCE LIBRARY
Why an Australian aged-care Delphi panel prioritized benzodiazepines
A national consensus exercise placed benzodiazepines high on a residential aged-care medication safety list, but it did not measure adverse-event rates.
A national consensus exercise placed benzodiazepines high on a residential aged-care medication safety list, but it did not measure adverse-event rates.
How the list was produced
The researchers used three rounds of a modified Delphi process with Australian healthcare professionals. Forty-two participated in the first round and 35 completed all three. Consensus required at least 70% to give a rating of seven or higher on a nine-point scale.
The final prioritization placed benzodiazepines after opioids and insulin, followed by other classes including anticoagulants and Z-drugs. The list concerned medicines capable of serious harm if misused or used in error within residential aged care.
What a ranking means
This is structured expert consensus, not a randomized trial, a comparison of prescribing quality, or a numerical ranking of observed deaths. Panel composition, the starting list, and how participants understood “high risk” can affect the outcome.
For a care review, the list provides a reason to examine administration processes, indications, monitoring, and medication reconciliation closely. It does not establish that a particular benzodiazepine prescription was negligent or that the drug caused an event. The distinction between a class prioritized for safety attention and a demonstrated error in a resident’s care is essential.
Source paper
Original analysis of the supplied journal article, identified as PMC12945874.