KMID : 0856920100130010007
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Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care 2010 Volume.13 No. 1 p.7 ~ p.12
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Medications at the End of Life Care for Terminal Cancer Patients during Their Last Admission
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Kim Do-Yeun
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Abstract
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Purpose: To evaluate medications at the end of life care for terminal cancer patients during their last admission.
Methods: Medical records of terminal cancer patients during their last admission from July 2003 to April 2008 at a district academic hospital were evaluated. Patient¡¯s characteristics, therapeutic drug classification during their last admission and on the patient¡¯s day of death, and the administrated route and number of medications on the patient¡¯s day of death were analyzed.
Results: Total 81 patients were included. The median patient age was 63 years. The median length of admission was 18 days (range: 1~101). 54% of the patients had more than one comorbidities. The most frequently prescribed drugs during the last admission were opioid analgesics (63%), followed by antibiotics (58%) and antacids (53%). On the day of death, common medications were antibiotics (59%), antacids (58%), and opioid analgesics (46%). Intravenous injection was given to 81% of the patients and intramuscular injection was given to 16% of the patients on the day of patient¡¯s death. Number of medications prescribed to patients was between 0 and 11 (median: 3) and 12% (10/81) of the patients took over 8 medications including intravenous and oral drugs on the day of death. 6% (5/81) of the patients took potentially futile medications, like multivitamin or statin until the day of death.
Conclusion: This study suggests that potentially futile medications and uncomfortable care were given to terminal cancer patients. Multicenter-based studies are necessary to diminish futile medications by essential medication at the end of life care for terminal cancer patients.
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KEYWORD
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Neoplasms, Medication therapy management, Medical futility,
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