Data Resource Profile: The Danish National Hospital Medicine Register

The Danish National Hospital Medicine Register (SMR) was established in 2018 to centralize and standardize medication use data across Danish hospitals. This task was previously managed by individual hospital registration systems across the five regions. This initiative addresses the need for a unified, detailed understanding of hospital medication use to monitor healthcare delivery, improve patient outcomes, and support research.

The SMR has comprehensive coverage of medication use in hospitals in Denmark, offering a national overview that was previously missing. It features high-quality data, with efforts to ensure completeness and accuracy. The data collected encompasses key categories such as types of medications, doses, administration times and practices, and specific treatment indications. The SMR facilitates collaboration among Danish regional health authorities and national health agencies, enhancing decision-making and planning across the regions.

The establishment of the SMR has provided a centralized and standardized database for medication use across Danish hospitals. This unification replaces the previously fragmented systems, allowing for better monitoring of healthcare delivery and supporting improvements in patient outcomes and research.

The upcoming version of the SMR will include data on dispensed outpatient medications, covering most medication use across all hospitals. This expansion will further enhance the register's utility for health authorities, clinicians, and researchers by providing a more comprehensive understanding of medication use in Denmark.