Pharmacy for Hospice Patients
Along with physician services to attend to a patient’s medical needs, the skills and caring of a knowledgeable pharmacist are necessary to provide symptom control and pain relief in an end-of-life situation.
Pharmacists play a major role in the hospice environment, as caring for the hospice patient generally centers around providing comfort by using pharmaceuticals to relieve and manage symptoms.
Every individual is unique and experiences during the end of life can vary from person to person. However, common symptoms experienced during end-of-life care include pain, nausea/vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, bedsores and anxiety. By working closely with a pharmacist, a physician can prescribe a regimen of care which is tailored to the hospice patient’s individual needs.
Caring for a loved one in a hospice environment can be both challenging and rewarding. Through the relationship between a caring physician and a pharmacist, the relief of pain and other symptoms can be tailored to a patient’s specific needs.