Journal of pain & palliative care pharmacotherapy
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J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother · Jun 2018
A Cost and Quality Analysis of Utilizing a Rectal Catheter for Medication Administration in End-of-Life Symptom Management.
Technology that can improve the ability to provide quick symptom control while decreasing the cost and burden of care could help hospice agencies deal with current hospice industry challenges. This paper describes how the use of a new rectal medication delivery technology at a large hospice in western New York has improved patient care and nursing efficiency while at the same time decreasing the cost of care.
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J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother · Jun 2018
Case ReportsElevated Transaminases with Topical Diclofenac: A Case Report.
Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) has been described with numerous nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Oral diclofenac has been associated with DILI more frequently than other NSAIDs and requires periodic monitoring of liver transaminases and judicious consideration of clinical signs and symptoms of hepatotoxicity. ⋯ Using a widely accepted drug reaction causality instrument, a rating of "definite" was assigned given the temporal sequence of drug exposure and transaminase changes. Further study is warranted to better guide prescribing of topical NSAIDs.
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Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) have an impact on patient morbidity and mortality. Palliative care patients constitute a vulnerable population due to the complexity of their care and treatments. This study sought to identify ADRs in palliative care, assess their severity and preventability, and identify specific medications most commonly involved. ⋯ Antimicrobials, opioids, and anticoagulants were the most common causative agents. ADRs are commonly experienced in palliative care patients and are often preventable. Identification of risk factors for ADRs may prevent occurrences in the complex palliative care patient.
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J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother · Jun 2018
Comparative StudyComparison of haloperidol, non-haloperidol antipsychotics, and no pharmacotherapy for the management of delirium in an inpatient geriatric palliative care population.
Antipsychotics are frequently used for treatment of delirium, although little evidence exists that they improve delirium outcomes. Our objective was to evaluate haloperidol (HAL) compared to non-haloperidol antipsychotics (NHAP) or no pharmacologic treatment (NP) in the management of delirium in older adults under the care of a palliative care consult service across a large, integrated health care system. A retrospective chart review examined data from September 2014-September 2015. ⋯ Delirium duration in the HAL, NHAP, and NP groups were 6.7, 6.0, and 4.9 days, respectively (p = 0.05). Safety outcomes were statistically different than the reference group (NHAP). Congruent with existing literature in other generalized patient populations, no significant difference in post-delirium length of stay existed in geriatric, palliative care population.
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J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother · Jun 2018
Case ReportsRetrograde Intrathecal Drug Delivery: A Report of Three Cases for the Management of Cancer-Related Sacropelvic Pain.
We report three cases of sacral and pelvic pain resistant to oral medications successfully managed with intraspinal drug delivery through a catheter placed at the intrathecal sacral space to deliver low doses of bupivacaine and fentanyl with local effects.