Quality Use of Medicines (QUM)
Program contact person John Shearer
Overview
The Quality Use of Medicines programme is currently a combination of two programmes,
the National Prescribing Service (NPS) and Home Medicines Review (HMR).
National Prescribing Service (NPS)
The National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is an independent, non-profit organisation for Quality Use of Medicines.
It provides accurate, balanced, evidence-based information and services to help people choose if, when and how to use medicines to improve their health and wellbeing. It is member-based, and works in partnership with health professionals, consumers, government and the pharmaceutical industry. The National Prescribing Service is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing.
Locally, programme activities include:
• educational visiting (academic detailing) and small-group case-based discussion for GPs on therapeutic topics that are linked to national activities and resources
• interactive workshops and seminars to promote development of critical appraisal skills relevant to prescribing of medicines for GPs
• communication on QUM issues for GPs
• inclusion of pharmacists and other community health professionals in program delivery
• supporting community workshops on medicines and peer education programs about medicines for seniors
Overview
The Quality Use of Medicines programme is currently a combination of two programmes,
the National Prescribing Service (NPS) and Home Medicines Review (HMR).
National Prescribing Service (NPS)
The National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is an independent, non-profit organisation for Quality Use of Medicines.
It provides accurate, balanced, evidence-based information and services to help people choose if, when and how to use medicines to improve their health and wellbeing. It is member-based, and works in partnership with health professionals, consumers, government and the pharmaceutical industry. The National Prescribing Service is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing.
Locally, programme activities include:
• educational visiting (academic detailing) and small-group case-based discussion for GPs on therapeutic topics that are linked to national activities and resources
• interactive workshops and seminars to promote development of critical appraisal skills relevant to prescribing of medicines for GPs
• communication on QUM issues for GPs
• inclusion of pharmacists and other community health professionals in program delivery
• supporting community workshops on medicines and peer education programs about medicines for seniors
The current NPS topic is “ Antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy in stroke prevention.”
Other topics NPS that may be delivered are: “Treating the symptoms of Dementia” and “The early use of insulin in type 2 diabetes.”
The schedule of new topics is:
Management of specific respiratory tract infections: Commencing July 2009
Clinical e-Audit: Optimising management of type 2 diabetes: Until April 2010
Clinical e-Audit: Review of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) prescribing: Commencing August 2009
GP Link offers NPS visits to you in your practice to discuss current evidence on specific therapeutic topics and how this translates into quality prescribing. GP Links offers two topics each year. A visit normally takes 30 minutes. Please phone the GP Links on 4151 0814 or 0428 510 817 to arrange a visit.
NPS online Clinical Audits
Home Medicines Review (HMR)
The Home Medicines Review Programme offered by GP Links is funded by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.
What is HMR?
HMR is a patient-focused collaborative service featuring:
• a GP referral to the community pharmacy of the patient’s choice
• a pharmacist interview with the patient, preferably at the patient’s home
• a verbal and written report by a HMR accredited pharmacist to the GP
• a discussion between the GP and the patient to devise a future management plan incorporating any changes
The benefits of HMR
For GPs:
• Comprehensive, up-to-date information about all the medicines, complementary products, devices and other prescriptions being used by the patients.
• HMR reinforces the medication related advice(s) given by the GP to their patients.
For Patients:
• SUPPORT: Assistance with medications/aids/devices to improve compliance and early detection and management of medicine-related problems.
• EDUCATION: HMR helps patients to understand their medicines better and enhances their ability to manage their medicines appropriately.
Resources:
Department of Veterans Affarirs: Dose Administration Aid Service outline
Home Medicines Review (HMR)
The Home Medicines Review Programme offered by GP Links is funded by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.
What is HMR?
HMR is a patient-focused collaborative service featuring:
• a GP referral to the community pharmacy of the patient’s choice
• a pharmacist interview with the patient, preferably at the patient’s home
• a verbal and written report by a HMR accredited pharmacist to the GP
• a discussion between the GP and the patient to devise a future management plan incorporating any changes
The benefits of HMR
For GPs:
• Comprehensive, up-to-date information about all the medicines, complementary products, devices and other prescriptions being used by the patients.
• HMR reinforces the medication related advice(s) given by the GP to their patients.
For Patients:
• SUPPORT: Assistance with medications/aids/devices to improve compliance and early detection and management of medicine-related problems.
• EDUCATION: HMR helps patients to understand their medicines better and enhances their ability to manage their medicines appropriately.
Resources:
Department of Veterans Affarirs: Dose Administration Aid Service outline
