Availability of Heart Failure Medications in Hospice Care.
BACKGROUND
Availability of cardiac medications in hospice for acute symptom management of heart failure is unknown. This study explored hospice approaches to cardiac medications for patients with heart failure.


METHODS
Descriptive study using a quantitative survey of 46 US hospice agencies and clinician interviews.


RESULTS
Of 31 hospices that provided standard home medication kits for acute symptom management, only 1 provided medication with cardiac indications (oral furosemide). Only 22% of the hospice agencies had a specific cardiac medication kit. Just over half (57%) of the agencies could provide intravenous inotropic therapy, often in multiple hospice settings. Clinicians described an individualized approach to cardiac medications for patients with heart failure.


CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights opportunities for practice guidelines that inform medical therapy for hospice patients with heart failure.
University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA hillary.lum@ucdenver.edu.|Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Denver, CO, USA.
Hillary D
HD
Lum
University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
Carolyn
C
Horney
The Denver Hospice, Denver, CO, USA.
David
D
Koets
University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
Jean S
JS
Kutner
University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.|Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Denver, CO, USA.
Daniel D
DD
Matlock
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology
D002316:Cardiotonic Agents
cardiac failure; hospices; inotropes; medications; terminal care