Home Medicines Review (HMR)

Overview

Home Medicines Review (HMR) was introduced to prevent medication related morbidity and mortality. 

HMR Information Medication related problems cause many unnecessary hospital admissions and deaths in Australia every year.  Annually 140,000 hospital admissions and 400,000 visits to GPs are medication related.  70% of these are thought to be preventable.

HMR provides an opportunity for patients living in the community to benefit from a team approach to their care.  Through improving understanding and compliance, a medication review can optimise the patient's benefit from their medication regimen and reduce the risk of medication mishaps.

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 (e.g. Warfarin)
• the complexity of their medication treatment regimen
• patients recently discharged from hospital or patients discharged from hospital with multiple medicines or changes in therapy
• suspected non-compliance or difficulties managing medication related therapeutic devices
• patients on multiple medications

There is no age limit or barrier to recieving a HMR, for example, children taking multiple medications can also benefit.

Home Medicines Review involves a GP consultation - to generate a referral to the patient's chosen Community Pharmacy.  The Pharmacy will either have an Accredited Pharmacist on staff or access to one who will contact the patient to arrange an interview (preferably in the home).  A comprehensive and up-to-date written report containing information about all medicines, complimentary products, devices and other prescriptions being used by the patient is provided back to the referring GP.

General Practitioners

GPs are encouraged to participate in the Home Medicines Review program designed to improve the quality use of medicines by patients in the community.  The process consists of two consultations for the GP and patient. 

1. The first consultation involves the identification of a patient with the potential to benefit from a HMR.  A referral is generated for the patient's chosen community pharmacy then faxed or given to the patient to deliver.  The Accredited Pharmacist and GP discuss the clinical report where appropriate. 
2. The second consultation to the GP takes place upon receipt of the pharmacist's report of the visit to the patient's home where an assessment has been made on the patient's medications and medication regimen. During this consultation the GP and the patient can discuss the findings and implement any action, including review of a Medication Management Plan.  A copy of the plan is offered to the patient.  Item 900 is claimed at this consultation.
   

GPs can access the Pharmacy Guild links below to obtain up to date information and resources to assist in the HMR process.

HMR information for GPs

Forms and fact sheets

Software templates

Practice Staff

Practice staff can play a vital role in the identification of patients for the HMR program.  Practice staff can identify which patients would benefit from a HMR and be able to assist the GP in the HMR process.  Click on the links below for more information on the role of practice staff.  Your Division facilitator is able to visit your practice and help in the training and understanding of HMR.

Information for Practice Staff

Request for referral form

Pharmacists

Pharmacies must be registered with Medicare Australia in order to provide this service to their patients and to receive remuneration. Medicare Australia will direct debit the nominated account monthly.
A once only payment of $1500.00 is available to pharmacists who have received their accreditation.  A second payment of $750 is an annual payment that is available to accredited pharmacists on renewal of a valid accreditation. An accredited pharmacist can only claim the second payment once per 12 month period.