Hospice

Introduction

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In preparing medications for Hospice patients, compounding pharmacists seek to respect the dignity and individuality of each patient and meet each patients' individual needs in pain and symptom management for end-of-life care. The primary goal of treatments in this area is to keep patients comfortable. Compounded preparations can be used to treat a variety of underlying conditions related to hospice and palliative care.

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How can compounds help?

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Patients in hospice care often have difficulty in swallowing. Therefore, other routes of administration must be used. Other formulations that can prepared may include skin, rectal, and sublingual preparations. Compounding pharmacists can prepare medications to treat a variety of issues such as pain, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, oral thrush, and secretory issues.

 

Some patients may require inhalations to help with problems breathing. In these case, compounding pharmacists can prepare special inhalation treatments. Wounds can also become an issue for hospice patients (i.e. bed sores). Depending on the pain and odor associated with the wound, treatment options will vary. Talk to your pharmacy staff today for more information regarding medications for all these ailments.

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