Changes needed to boost MMR use

SYSTEM changes are needed to improve access and uptake of medication management reviews (MMRS) for patients aged 75 years and older, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) believes.

Data from the Fourth Australian Atlas of Healthcare Variation 2021, revealed that 5.4% of people aged over 75 years had at least one Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR) or Home Medicine Review (HMR) in 2018/19.

The Atlas found rates of access was generally higher in major cities than other areas.

“RMMRS are recommended for new residents in aged care facilities, and for existing residents after changes in clinical condition or medicines,” the report said.

“System changes are needed to drive implementation of these recommendations across aged care facilities.

“Initiatives to improve medical practitioner uptake of pharmacist recommendations following MMRS should be a priority.”

The Commission added that “team-based models of general practice that include pharmacists could improve collaboration between GPS and pharmacists, and increase the likelihood that a pharmacist’s recommendations are acted upon.”

It noted that changes were needed to improve access to MMRS for at-risk patients.

“Good working relationships between GPS and pharmacists conducting reviews have been found to influence uptake of MMR services by GPS,” it said.

“Some have reported that the role of HMR may be limited in major cities by a lack of opportunity to build relationships between GPS and pharmacists.

“GPS that interact with pharmacists throughout the review process are more likely to initiate reviews and implement recommendations than those who do not, highlighting the importance of collaboration.

“Australian research has shown that greater collaboration between GPS and pharmacists conducting HMRS can improve management or resolve up to 81% of identified medicine-related problems.

“Changes to RMMR and HMR programs that allow pharmacists to conduct two follow-up reviews could improve collaboration between GPS and pharmacists.”