Pharmacology for Technicians: Hospice Medications

End-of-life care can be a complicated and sensitive subject. Approaching death, the body does unexpected things, leaving families and loved ones confused and scared. This session seeks to discuss comfort measures taken, medicines started, and medicines stopped. In hospice care, some measures are for the patient, and some are for the patient’s family members. The dying process alters the body’s physiology and there can be surprising changes. Thus, unique approaches to symptom management are utilized, including off-label use of some medications. This session further seeks to discuss the difference between palliative care and hospice. After participating in this educational session, the pharmacy technician learner will be equipped with a better understanding of the medications used in hospice care and will be better prepared to participate in the care of patients who are at the end of their lives.