December 21, 2023
Fosfomycin for treating lower urinary tract infection (UTI)
A group home owner is requesting antibiotics for a hospice patient who’s been increasingly confused over the last several days and has foul smelling urine. You order a culture & sensitivity (C&S) that reveals bacterial growth in the urine and resistance to multiple antibiotics. The susceptible antibiotics listed on the report aren’t ideal because they […]
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November 29, 2023
Together as One | Shirley Zhu
Our “Together as One” series spotlights nurses, physicians, pharmacists and others who positively impact the lives of hospice patients and their families every day. Through the dedicated and compassionate work of these inspiring professionals, patients receive the high-quality care and attentive consideration they deserve. Together with innovative and responsive hospice partners, they create the network […]
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November 9, 2023
Together as One | Kyllie Chang and Deborah Jones
Our “Together as One” series spotlights nurses, physicians, pharmacists and others who positively impact the lives of hospice patients and their families every day. Through the dedicated and compassionate work of these inspiring professionals, patients receive the high-quality care and attentive consideration they deserve. Together with innovative and responsive hospice partners, they create the network […]
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September 22, 2023
How do I convert from brexpiprazole to aripiprazole?
Earlier this year, the FDA expanded the list of approved indications for brexpiprazole (Rexulti®) to include the treatment of dementia-related agitation due to Alzheimer’s disease, making it the first antipsychotic (or any drug class for that matter) to gain FDA approval for treating agitation in patients with any type of dementia. Despite its new approval, […]
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August 1, 2023
SGLT2 Inhibitors: More than Diabetes Drugs
Known for their role in managing diabetes, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors like Farxiga (dapagliflozin) and Jardiance (empagliflozin) also improve symptoms, function, and quality of life in patients with heart failure (HF).1 So it’s no surprise that they were added to the latest HF guidelines, even for patients without diabetes.1 The 2022 American Heart Association […]
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June 27, 2023
A Review of Loop Diuretics: Considerations for Drug Selection
Loop diuretics are essential medications for managing fluid overload and edema caused by conditions like heart failure, liver disease, or chronic kidney disease.1-4 They work by decreasing renal sodium and chloride reabsorption with the end result being water excretion through urination (diuresis).1-3 You can learn more about loop diuretic pharmacology here. By far, furosemide is […]
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May 23, 2023
CAMouflage: Which CAMs represent hidden danger for your heart failure patients?
Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are popular among patients because they’re readily available and perceived to be safe since they can be purchased over-the-counter without a prescription.1 While these products are relatively easy to obtain, they aren’t regulated like traditional medications. Importantly, CAM manufacturers aren’t generally required to demonstrate that products are safe or effective.1,2 […]
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May 8, 2023
Together as One | Nurse Profile: Christine
Our “Together as One” series spotlights nurses, physicians, pharmacists and others who positively impact the lives of hospice patients and their families every day. Through the dedicated and compassionate work of these inspiring professionals, patients receive the high-quality care and attentive consideration they deserve. Together with innovative and responsive hospice partners, they create the network […]
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April 7, 2023
Subcutaneous Medication Administration at the End of Life
The oral route is by far the most common way medications are administered – even in the hospice setting. However, it’s not always feasible for a number of reasons – dysphagia, nausea/vomiting, or obtundation to name a few.1,2 Administering drugs subcutaneously (SC/SQ) is one method used to overcome patients’ inability to swallow and absorb oral […]
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March 24, 2023
The Link Between Pain and Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD)
Treating patients with severe dementia is complex and challenging. The frustrating reality is that these individuals are usually unable to communicate basic needs. In turn, unmet needs contribute to the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) — in particular, agitation, aggression (verbal and/or physical), apathy, and depression.1,2 BPSD are disruptive and distressing to the […]
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