HP’s Hospice Kits (ComfortPak, Cardiac ComfortPak, and Seizure Kit) have been developed to address the most common symptoms at the end of life, and the most urgent problem for hospices: immediate access to the appropriate medications.
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Upon admission, a patient is assessed for Hospice Kit placement. Once the nurse and pharmacist have ensured that the home is safe and the placement of a kit is appropriate for the patient, the kit is sent to the patient, to arrive the next day.
HP Hospice Kits
Since 1987, the ComfortPak has been available exclusively
for hospices that partner with Hospice Pharmacia. The Cardiac
ComfortPak and Seizure Kits were formally introduced to
HP hospice partners in 2003, though HP had been providing
them ad hoc, as necessary for years prior.
The ComfortPak in the home ensures that
patient always have immediately access to a 48-hour quantity
of medications for management of the most common symptoms
experienced by hospice patients: nausea/vomiting, pain,
fever, agitation, secretions, anxiety, and breathlessness.
Patients with cardiac-specific diagnoses are assessed for
the appropriateness of a Cardiac ComfortPak,
which contains additional cardiac-specific medications for
emergency symptom management for patients deemed to be at
risk. This kit addresses additional symptoms of edema and
chest pain.
For patients with seizure activity or patients at risk for
seizures, HP offers the HP Seizure Kit1 which contains medications for seizure management.
HP hospice nurses praise the HP hospice kits, and highly
regard the immediate access to appropriate medication for
palliation of new hospice symptoms. With the right medications
easily accessible, patients receive the best care, and nurses
can mange critical symptoms immediately, without leaving
the patient’s home.
1 HP offers both a Phenytoin Seizure Kit and a Valproic Acid Seizure Kit.
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