Understanding the progressive nature of dementia can help in the decision to continue or discontinue dementia medications in patients on hospice care for end-stage dementia. Goals change as patients progress…
Hospice patients often communicate allergies to medications. When the medication is an opioid, hospice staff often have to determine whether the reaction that the patient believed to be an allergy…
The ever-increasing awareness of the dangers of hypnotic use in the elderly leaves many patients, prescribers, and caregivers hesitant to initiate prescription medications to treat insomnia. Combined with the increased…
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) has long recognized the frequency of mix-ups resulting from the non-standardization of units utilized in measuring volume of oral liquid medications. Since 2009,…
Medication cost, adverse effects, and poor therapeutic response often necessitate switching a hospice patient from one antipsychotic to another. Prescribers can choose among several options when a switch is necessary.…
Understanding the progressive nature of dementia can help in the decision to continue or discontinue dementia medications in patients on hospice care for end-stage dementia. Goals change as patient’s progress…
If ever there is a time for compassionate medicine, it is when a patient is nearing the end of life. Unfortunately, when hospice becomes involved in patient care and recommendations…
Despite the American Medical Association’s stance that “cannabis is a dangerous drug and as such is a public health concern,” the use of medical cannabis, or medical marijuana, is increasing. …