A Structured Medication Review (SMR) is a comprehensive process where a qualified healthcare professional, such as a doctor, pharmacist, or Advanced Nurse Practitioner, reviews all the medicines a resident is taking. The primary goal is to ensure that all medicines are still necessary, effective, and safe for the individual.
Developed by the NIHR Yorkshire and Humber Patient Safety Research Collaboration and building on patient materials launched in September 2023, The Health Innovation Network has launched a suite of new resources to help care home residents, their families and staff to prepare for and participate in SMRs. The resources support a collaborative approach, recognising that residents, care home staff and families are all integral to successful medication management.
The new resources address a critical need to enhance medication safety and patient wellbeing within care home settings. As more people live longer with multiple long-term health conditions, the number of medicines they take often increases, which can create a significant burden and, in some cases, lead to problematic polypharmacy and cause harm. The Health Innovation Network’s Polypharmacy Programme has been working to address these issues by empowering patients and clinicians to make informed decisions about prescribing.
The resources are available within the Academy Learning Zone. If you are not an Academy member it is free and easy to join.