Medicare Australia (formerly the HIC) is examining a plan where medication charts would double as scripts in nursing homes to cut excessive paperwork and it is hoped boost GP attendance at nursing homes.
Allowing medication charts to act as scripts that are reviewed by GPs once every three months would prevent pharmacists requesting scripts from GPs after dispensing, according to aged care pharmacist Ms Karalyn Huxhagen.
“It would alleviate the problem of owing scripts, which is by far the biggest impost on pharmacists and doctors in nursing homes,” she said.
The idea has been presented by University of Queensland academics to Medicare Australia, which has yet to report back.
The move comes as figures show low uptake of residential medication management reviews (RMMRs).
So far this year the RMMR MBS item — worth $88.20 — has been claimed less than 5500 times, although there are 150,000 residents in aged care facilities in Australia.
by Eleanor Limprecht
Article from news.australiandoctor.com.au
