Quality standard
Quality statement 6: Medication review
Quality statement 6: Medication review
Quality statement
Men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) who are prescribed drug treatments to manage symptoms receive a timely medication review.
Rationale
It is important that men with LUTS who are taking drug treatments for their symptoms have a medication review initiated promptly after their treatment has been prescribed. The review of the drugs prescribed to manage LUTS, to timescales recommended in NICE's guideline on lower urinary tract symptoms in men, will inform decisions about their continued use, taking into account the effect of these drugs on symptoms and quality of life, as well as any adverse effects.
Quality measures
Structure
Evidence of local arrangements to ensure that men with LUTS receive a timely medication review.
Data source: Local data collection.
Process
a) Proportion of men with LUTS prescribed alpha-blockers who receive an initial medication review at 4 to 6 weeks.
Numerator – the number of men in the denominator who receive an initial medication review at 4 to 6 weeks.
Denominator – the number of men with LUTS prescribed alpha-blockers.
Data source: Local data collection.
b) Proportion of men with LUTS prescribed 5‑alpha reductase inhibitors who receive an initial medication review at 3 to 6 months.
Numerator – the number of men in the denominator who receive an initial medication review at 3 to 6 months.
Denominator – the number of men with LUTS prescribed 5‑alpha reductase inhibitors.
Data source: Local data collection.
c) Proportion of men with LUTS prescribed anticholinergics who receive an initial medication review every 4 to 6 weeks until symptoms are stable.
Numerator – the number of men in the denominator who receive an initial medication review every 4 to 6 weeks until symptoms are stable.
Denominator – the number of men with LUTS prescribed anticholinergics.
Data source: Local data collection.
What the quality statement means for different audiences
Service providers ensure that local arrangements are in place to provide a timely medication review for men with LUTS.
Healthcare professionals carry out a timely medication review for men with LUTS to assess treatment response.
Commissioners ensure that they commission services with local arrangements to provide a timely medication review for men with LUTS.
Men with LUTS taking drug treatments to help manage their symptoms have their drug treatment reviewed at an agreed time soon after they start taking the drugs.
Source guidance
Lower urinary tract symptoms in men: management. NICE guideline CG97 (2010), recommendations 1.4.13 to 1.4.15