April 7, 2023
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 […]
Read MoreMarch 24, 2023
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 […]
Read MoreFebruary 22, 2023
One of the problems with starting traditional antidepressants in hospice patients is that they might take too long to start working (typically a few weeks) and/or reach their full effect (up to 8 weeks). To get around this, some hospice clinicians will prescribe methylphenidate or ketamine to treat depression more rapidly; the onsets are about […]
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