TY - JOUR
T1 - Commonly Prescribed Medications in a Population of Hospice Patients
AU - Sera, Leah
AU - McPherson, Mary Lynn
AU - Holmes, Holly M.
PY - 2014/3
Y1 - 2014/3
N2 - Although much attention has been placed on appropriate symptom management at the end of life, little is known about the medications actually prescribed to people in hospice care. The purpose of this study was to determine the most commonly prescribed medications in a population of hospice patients. A retrospective review of a patient information database was conducted. The 6 most common drugs (acetaminophen, morphine, haloperidol, lorazepam, prochlorperazine, and atropine) were included in emergency kits provided to patients at admission. Opioid and nonopioid analgesics, anxiolytics, anticholinergics, and antipsychotics were the most commonly prescribed pharmacologic classes. This description of prescribing practices could be useful in creating more informed care plans, educating health care personnel, and anticipating the changing medication needs of patients as they enter hospice care.
AB - Although much attention has been placed on appropriate symptom management at the end of life, little is known about the medications actually prescribed to people in hospice care. The purpose of this study was to determine the most commonly prescribed medications in a population of hospice patients. A retrospective review of a patient information database was conducted. The 6 most common drugs (acetaminophen, morphine, haloperidol, lorazepam, prochlorperazine, and atropine) were included in emergency kits provided to patients at admission. Opioid and nonopioid analgesics, anxiolytics, anticholinergics, and antipsychotics were the most commonly prescribed pharmacologic classes. This description of prescribing practices could be useful in creating more informed care plans, educating health care personnel, and anticipating the changing medication needs of patients as they enter hospice care.
KW - end of life
KW - hospice
KW - medication therapy
KW - palliative care
KW - polypharmacy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84893957940&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1177/1049909113476132
DO - 10.1177/1049909113476132
M3 - Article
C2 - 23408370
AN - SCOPUS:84893957940
SN - 1049-9091
VL - 31
SP - 126
EP - 131
JO - American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
JF - American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
IS - 2
ER -