09.16.2015

Availability of Heart Failure Medications in Hospice Care

Symptom management for patients with end-stage heart failure (HF) is demanding.  Additionally, the medications most effective for palliation are cardiac-specific (i.e., intravenous furosemide and inotropes) and may not be readily available in the home due to lack of practice guidelines and expertise of hospice staff.  The use of hospice by patients with HF is rising, making the need to assess treatment practices vital. In this descriptive study, Lum HD, et al used quantitative and qualitative survey data to assess medication availability and hospice clinician approaches, respectively, to HF treatment for opportunities to individualize cardiac care at the end-of-life.

Link to Am J Hosp Palliat Care (08/31/2015)