Blog – Page 9 – Ashtons Hospice Pharmacy Services

Large systematic review of antidepressants

Medication UpdatesBy Shannen Stevens February 8, 2019

In 194 head-to-head RCTs, agomelatine, amitriptyline, escitalopram, mirtazapine, paroxetine, venlafaxine and vortioxetine were more effective than other antidepressants, whereas fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, reboxetine, and trazodone were the least effective. Agomelatine, citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, sertraline and vortioxetine were better tolerated than others. Amitriptyline, clomipramine, duloxetine, fluvoxamine, reboxetine, trazodone and venlafaxine were associated…

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How do we handle QT interval in palliative care? – Some practical suggestions

UncategorisedBy Hazel Robinson November 28, 2018

What is the QT interval? The QT interval is the time in milliseconds between the start of the Q wave and the end of the T wave in the heart’s electrical cycle. The QT interval represents the time it takes the ventricles to depolarise and then repolarise. A prolonged QT…

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Antidepressants in cancer – Cochrane Review

Medication NewsBy Margaret Gibbs November 28, 2018

Psychiatrists with an interest in end-of-life care have reviewed the evidence for the management of depression in cancer patients, as it has a great impact. Their conclusions, as usual, were that more RCTs are required as the available studies were very few and of low quality. The review found very…

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Medication updates – Tramadol, Denosumab and Pregabalin Study

Medication NewsBy Margaret Gibbs November 28, 2018

Tramadol: The SPC for all brands and products containing tramadol contains information on dependence and treatment discontinuation. Tramadol has partial opioid activity and thus is prone to abuse if used inappropriately. This warning advises using it for the shortest time required for management of pain, then weaning it gradually. We…

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The Gosport Report and its possible impact on hospice patients

Medication NewsBy Margaret Gibbs November 28, 2018

On 30th June 2018 the Gosport Independent Panel published its report on what happened at Gosport Memorial Hospital between 1987 and 2001(1). As Jeremy Hunt said, its findings can only be described as truly shocking. The Panel found that during this period the lives of over 450 patients were shortened…

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Palliative care pharmacy – An opportunity to be creative

UncategorisedBy Margaret Gibbs November 26, 2018

The practice of pharmacy in a hospice setting is very different to that in an acute setting. As time is short, focus on long-term effects of medicines may not be such a concern so we can use medicines such as co-danthramer, which has carcinogenic properties, if given long term. Symptoms…

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Stock medication supply issues for hospices

UncategorisedBy Graeme Whittaker November 23, 2018

The regulations surrounding the supply of stock medication have become increasingly stringent in recent years, with increased licensing and more in-depth inspections. This is creating a range of issues for hospices as they seek a consistent and reliable supplier. Perhaps the biggest impact has been created by the MHRA’s Wholesale…

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Recent Queries from Hospices – October 2018

Medication NewsBy Margaret Gibbs November 23, 2018

Questions on medicines, procedures and practice from hospice staff: 1. Do we have to crush solid dose forms of CDs before destruction? Destruction of Controlled Drugs involves rendering them ‘irretrievable’. We generally use a commercial product that turns to a solid gel when mixed with the liquid contents of ampoules…

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Disposal of unwanted Controlled Drugs – the differences between named patient CDs and stock CDs

Medication NewsBy Bryar Kider November 23, 2018

Under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, all Controlled Drugs (CDs) classified under Schedules 2, 3 or 4 (part 1) should be denatured and rendered irretrievable before disposal. Please note, this does not include Schedule 5 CDs and legally these do not have to be denatured. The Health Act 2006…

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Ashtons Live View reduces medication errors by 56%

Ashtons News, Developing your team, Medicines Management Processes, UncategorisedBy Chris Burrell January 29, 2018

The Ashtons Live View system facilitates the electronic reporting of pharmacist audits and communication between the pharmacist and clinical staff in the hospital. The pharmacists report any clinical interventions, audits and compliance issues following their ward visits and this information is emailed to the relevant staff and managers. The hospital…

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Large systematic review of antidepressants

How do we handle QT interval in palliative care? – Some practical suggestions

Antidepressants in cancer – Cochrane Review

Medication updates – Tramadol, Denosumab and Pregabalin Study

The Gosport Report and its possible impact on hospice patients

Palliative care pharmacy – An opportunity to be creative

Stock medication supply issues for hospices

Recent Queries from Hospices – October 2018

Disposal of unwanted Controlled Drugs – the differences between named patient CDs and stock CDs

Ashtons Live View reduces medication errors by 56%

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