MANAGING your MEDICations AT HOME
What is a Home Medicines Review (HMR)?
A Home Medicines Review (HMR) can help you to gain knowledge and understanding of the medicines you are using and how they work. It is a way for your pharmacist and GP to “do a check-up” on your medicines.
Your GP can arrange for an expert pharmacist to visit you at home to review your medications and how you take them. The pharmacist then writes a report for to the GP, who will discuss any recommendations with you and may make appropriate changes to your medicines.
Why have a Hmr?
A HMR will help you better manage your medicines and identify any medication problems. It gives you the opportunity to spend time asking questions about your medicines that your doctor or pharmacist may not always have the time to answer. It will help:
increase your knowledge about your medicines
increase your confidence in using your medicines
reduce your risk of an avoidable trip to hospital.
Do I need a Hmr?
You would particularly benefit from a HMR if you:
Take more than five medications (including those bought at a supermarket or any herbal medications).
Have recently been discharged from hospital with medication changes.
Have concerns about your medications.
Are taking medications that require close monitoring e.g. blood thinning medicines.
Use any devices to take your medicines such as monitoring blood glucose or a nebuliser.
Have a chronic illness? e.g. asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular (heart) disease.
If any of the above apply to you, talk to your GP about arranging a HMR.
how do I organise a HMR
It’s easy!
Anyone - you, your carer, a family member, your pharmacist or community nurse can ask the doctor if this service might be helpful for you. Upon request and assessment your GP refers you for a HMR. They will then fill out a special referral form, and organise for an accredited pharmacist to arrange a home visit with you and coordinate with your preferred pharmacy.
what happens during the home visit?
At your agreed appointment time, the pharmacist will visit you in the comfort and privacy of your home to discuss and record:
all medications (prescription and non-prescription) being taken
how, when and why they are taken
how the medications are stored
how well you understand the medications and their effect
the use of any devices for administering medicines.
The pharmacist will then provide a HMR report to your GP about the results of the home visit and your GP will work out a Medication Management Plan with you.
How much does it cost?
A HMR is free, providing you have a current Medicare or Department of Veteran’s Affairs card. The Australian Government will fund one HMR every two years or on request from your GP following a clinical incident such as a fall or hospital visit.