HMR

 

Home Medicines Review

 

Overview

The Division has been actively involved in the delivery of the Home Medicines Review program (also known as the Domiciliary Medication Management Review) in partnership with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, to optimise quality use of medicines and consumer understanding.
 
The Divisons QUM Facilitator is Donna Clapham B.Pharm, Dip Hosp Pharm and is able to provide support, advice, education and information to GPs, accredited pharmacists, community pharmacies and consumer groups within the Hawkesbury-Hills area.
   

HMR Information

Medication related problems cause many unnecessary hospital admissions and even deaths in Australia each year. Each year 140,000 hospital admissions and 400,000 visits to GPs are medicine related. An Australian study showed that 90% of at –risk patients had a medicine related problem, with most having three (1) .
 
The HMR program provides an opportunity for the patient to benefit from a health care plan between their GP, Pharmacists, carer and/or other health professionals (community nurse), to improve their understanding of their medications regimen, and to know how to best take their medications.
 
HMR is a voluntary service and offered to people living at home in the community.
 
Patients most likely to benefit from a HMR are;
  • Patients at risk of medication related problems because of their co-morbidities, age or social circumstances
  • The characteristics of their medicines (eg warfarin)
  • The complexity of their medication treatment regimen
  • Patients recently discharged from hospital with multiple changes in therapy
  • Suspected non-compliance or difficulties managing medication related therapeutic devices.

There is no aged limit or barrier to HMRs, and in fact HMRs are not restricted to adult patients for example children taking multiple medications can also benefit from a HMR.

Home Medicines Review involves a GP consultation to generate a referral to a pharmacist to arrange an interview with the patient (preferably in the patient’s home), a clinical assessment is undertaken by the pharmacist and a written report is provided back to the referring GP.
 

General Practitioners

GPs are able to participate in the Home Medicines Review program designed to improve the quality use of medicines by patients in the community.  Click here to review the GP HMR flowchart.
 
The process (Medicare Item 900) involves two consultations for the GP. The first consultation involves the identification of a patient with potential to benefit from a HMR, and arranges a referral to an accredited pharmacists for a home interview. The second consultation takes place upon receipt of the pharmacists report following the pharmacist’s visit to the patient’s home whereby an assessment has been made on the patient’s medications and medication regimen. Upon receipt of the pharmacist report the GP and the patient can discuss the findings and implement any action, including review  of a Medication Management Plan. It also requires the GP and Pharmacist to discuss the clinical report, where appropriate, and a copy of the Medication Management Plan is provided to the patient and the community pharmacy.
 
GPs can access the Pharmacy Guild links hereunder to obtain up to date HMR information and resources to assist in the HMR process.
 

The Divisions HMR Facilitator will actively support GPs, Community Pharmacists and patients in networking to ensure HMRs are undertaken collaboratively and in a timely manner. 

If you need to know the contact details of your local accredited pharmacists contact Donna Clapham at the Division on (02) 8884 -9444 of click here to send an email. 
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Practice Nurses and Practice Managers/Staff

Practice staff can play a vital role in the identification of patients for the HMR program. Access the Pharmacy Guilds links below to find out how you can assist your practice in the HMR program or alternatively contact the Divisions HMR Facilitator who will arrange to visit you in the Practice and explain the HMR process in more detail. 
 

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Community Pharmacists and Accredited Pharmacists 

Pharmacies must be registered with Medicare Australia in order to receive remuneration and only accredited pharmacists can conduct a Home Medicines Review.
 

Follow the Pharmacy Guild links below to obtain further information on how to become HMR accredited.

 

Contact Donna Clapham (B.Pharm, Dip Hosp Pharm) the Divisions QUM Facilitator to assist you with MR accreditation.
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References
(1) DATIS on behalf of the Pharmacy Guild and ADGP
(2) Certain information has been derived from the Pharmacy Guilds website along with related links.
 

Useful Websites

 
Other Resources
Link
Pharmacy Guild
Pharmacy Locator            
Medicare Australia          
Department of health and Ageing
 www.health.gov.au
Australian Association of Consultant Pharmacy
 www.aacp.com.au
Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Aust.

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