Home Medicines Review (HMR) is a service to patients living at home in the community. The goal of HMR is to maximise an individual patient's benefit from their medication regimen, and prevent medication-related problems through a team approach. Home Medicines Review (HMR) involves the patient, their general practitioner (GP), an accredited pharmacist and regular community pharmacy. In some cases other relevant members of the healthcare team, such as nurses in community practice, or carers, are included.
The HMR process utilises the specific knowledge and expertise of each of the health care professionals involved. In collaboration with the GP, a pharmacist comprehensively reviews the patient's medication regimen in a home visit. After discussion of the visit findings and report with the pharmacist, the GP and patient agree on a medication management plan. The patient is central in the development and implementation of this plan with their GP.
The objectives of HMR are to:
- achieve safe, effective and appropriate use of medicines by detecting and addressing medicine-related problems that interfere with the patient's desired outcomes
- improve the patient's quality of life and health by using a best practice approach, that involves cooperation between the GP, pharmacist, other relevant health professionals and the patient (and where appropriate, their carer)
- improve the patient's and health professional's knowledge and understanding about the patient's medicines
- build cooperative working relationships between members of the healthcare team in the interests of patient health and wellbeing.
Why have a HMR?
If medicines aren't used properly, or if the wrong ones are used together, the results can be serious. Each year more than 140,000 Australians have to go to hospital with problems caused by their medication. It has been shown that, in up to 69% of these cases, the problem can be avoided. Older people are particularly at risk.
You could benefit from a HMR if:
- you take more than five medicines in a day;
- are confused or worried about your medicines;
- sometimes forget to take you medicines;
- see more than one GP or specialist; or
- have recently spent time in hospital.
How does it work?
- Identification of person requiring HMR service;
- Assessment by GP of clinical need for an HMR from a quality use of medicines perspective with the patient as the focus;
- Formal initiation of HMR;
- Patient is informed and gives their consent;
- Referral by GP to approved HMR service provider;
- Approved HMR service provider coordinates the HMR service and notifies the GP of the details of the accredited pharmacist who will conduct the service;
- The preferred address and time for HMR are arranged with the patient;
- Pharmacist conducts HMR;
- Review of information by accredited pharmacist and development of suggested management strategies;
- Preparation of report by accredited pharmacist;
- Report provided to and discussed with GP;
- Medication management plan agreed between patient and GP;
- Implementation of agreed actions with appropriate follow-up and monitoring.
You can identify yourself and ask your GP for a referral. A pharmacist conducts an interview, preferably in the comfort of your own home, and then writes a report back to the GP. The GP will discuss any recommendations with you and may make appropriate changes to your medication regimen. These may include showing you how to take your medicines correctly, explain why and when to take your medicines, explain where your medicines should be stored, checking that prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines and vitamins are appropriate to take together, and clarify any confusion with generic medicines (the cheaper brands).
A Home Medicines Review is nothing to worry about. The Home Medicines Review is not a way of "checking up on you" or talking to the GP behind your back. A Home Medicines Review cannot be done without your consent and you choose the pharmacist. And it's all part of your normal consultation fee.
Useful Links:
Department of Health and Aging
Department of Veterans' Affairs