Emergency medications produce good results
Study documents value of kits
Emergency medication kits, which are used by many hospices, produce positive results in patient satisfaction, reduction of unscheduled visits, and cost savings, according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.1
The kits are designed specifically for a patient's individual needs, with medications needed to control pain and other symptoms. Nurses give the kits to a caregiver for use as directed by a hospice nurse by telephone. The purpose of the kits is to make sure emergency medication is in the home to allow the weekend and evening on-call nurse to direct the use of the medication by phone.
Researchers conducted this study was to compare perceptions of hospice managers and clinicians regarding the value of emergency medication kits and to assess outcomes. Clinical managers and clinicians reported that the kits were valuable in preventing emergency department visits, unscheduled nursing visits, and pharmacy deliveries, and they increased patient satisfaction.
A hospice using emergency medication kits reported fewer calls requiring unscheduled interventions (18% vs. 33%) and resulted in cost savings ($23.04 per call vs. $31.62 per call). Hospice managers and clinicians perceived emergency medication kits to be valuable in areas of quality, cost, and satisfaction. Researchers conclude that there appears to be an advantage to routinely providing emergency medication kits for home hospice patients.
Reference
1. Walker KA, McPherson ML. Perceived value and cost of providing emergency medication kits to home hospice patients in Maryland. Am J Hosp Palliat Med. 2010;27:254-260.
Emergency medication kits, which are used by many hospices, produce positive results in patient satisfaction, reduction of unscheduled visits, and cost savings, according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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