A drug use evaluation of selected opioid and nonopioid analgesics in the nursing facility setting

Article Abstract:

A multicenter 3-month retrospective drug use evaluation has been carried out by consultant pharmacists to find the medical conditions for which selected analgesics are most frequently prescribed in nursing facilities (NFs). Adequate pain assessments were found to be lacking as was use of nonpharmacologic interventions. Analgesic medication was used inappropriately. Prescribing was not in line with recommended pain therapy for the elderly. There is an urgent need for educating practitioners in NFs.

author: Cramer, Gena W., Galer, Bradley S., Mendelson, Marilyn A., Thompson, Gregory D.
Opioids, Nursing homes, Pharmaceutical services

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Dying with lung cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: insights from SUPPORT

Article Abstract:

Dying of lung cancer and dying of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been investigated in a prospective cohort study using data from the Study to Understand Prognoses and Preferences for Outcomes and Risks of Treatment (SUPPORT). It was found that the hospitalized patients preferred comfort-focused care. For both groups dyspnea and pain were problems. Life-sustaining interventions were more often used with COPD. Short-term effectiveness was better than in those with lung cancer.

author: Phillips, Russell S., Lynn, Joanne, Wu, Albert W., Connors, Alfred F., Jr., Harrell, Frank E., Jr., Desbiens, Norman A., Zhong, Zhenshao, Claessens, Michael T.
Social aspects, Research, Management, Laws, regulations and rules, Prognosis, Terminal care, Assisted suicide, Palliative treatment, Palliative care, Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, Ethical aspects, Death, Lung diseases, Obstructive, Chronic obstructive lung disease, Hospitalization, Hospital patients, Lung diseases, Medical care decision-making authority (Law), Medical care decision making authority (Law), Enteral nutrition, Right to refuse treatment, Right to die, Treatment refusal, Intensive care units, Hospital care, Frail elderly, Bioethics, Living wills, Tube feeding, Lung cancer, Non-small cell, Non-small cell lung cancer, Ventilators, Ventilators (Medical equipment)

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An evaluation of antiepileptic drug therapy in nursing facilities

Article Abstract:

A study of prescribing and use of antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy in nursing facilities has been carried out. A substantial percentage of residents were found to have been treated with AEDs despite lack of diagnosis of seizure type. This kind of diagnosis has serious implications in the choice of medication.

author: Cramer, Gena W., Mendelson, Marilyn A., Thompson, Gregory D., Schachter, Steven C., Chaponis, Robert J., Lawhorne, Larry
Diagnosis, Epilepsy, Nursing home patients, Long term care, Seizures (Medicine), Phenobarbital, Phenytoin

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subjects list: Health aspects, Aging, Aged, Elderly, United States, Usage, Drug therapy, Pain, Analgesics, Care and treatment
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