The PBS HMC is an evidence-based chart that builds on the national inpatient medication chart (NIMC). It was trialled in public and private hospitals across Australia.
Healthcare services are expected to demonstrate the use of a compliant standardised chart for accreditation against National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standard 4: Medication Safety. The PBS HMC is a compliant standardised chart.
Only the PBS HMC can be used for PBS claiming. Noncompliant charts:
The Australian Government Department of Health appointed the Commission to develop the PBS HMC for use in public and private hospitals, and to test its safety and effectiveness. The aim was to reduce the administrative prescribing, dispensing and claiming for PBS medicines in hospitals.
A hospital trial assessed:
The hospital trial found the safety performance of the PBS HMC compared favourably with the existing medication charts used at the trial sites. This finding was supported by chart audits and site reports. There were no medication incidents associated with the PBS HMC, and using the chart reduced medication transcription errors.
Additional details of the trial can be found in PBS Hospital Medication Chart (PBS HMC) project. Development, trial and evaluation of the PBS HMC in public and private hospitals: phase 1 summary evaluation report