Drug Disposal Among Hospice Home Care Nurses: A Pilot Study of Current Practice and Attitudes

Abstract Context It is the role of the hospice home care nurse to dispose of unused medications after a patient’s death. However, the methods of disposal, the nurses’ attitudes, and beliefs regarding the environmental and health effects of disposal practices, as well as the knowledge of applicable f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of pain and symptom management 2012-02, Vol.43 (2), p.287-292
Main Authors: McCullagh, Marjorie C., PhD, Schim, Stephanie, PhD, Ortner, Pamela, MS
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anesthesia & Perioperative Care
Attitude of Health Personnel
Attitudes
Biological and medical sciences
Computer based
drug disposal
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Home care
Home Care Services - statistics & numerical data
Hospice
Hospice Care - statistics & numerical data
Hospices
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Michigan
Middle Aged
Nurses
Nurses - statistics & numerical data
nursing
Pain Medicine
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Pilot Projects
Practice Patterns, Nurses' - statistics & numerical data
Prescription Drugs
Refuse Disposal - statistics & numerical data
Unsafe
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Summary:Abstract Context It is the role of the hospice home care nurse to dispose of unused medications after a patient’s death. However, the methods of disposal, the nurses’ attitudes, and beliefs regarding the environmental and health effects of disposal practices, as well as the knowledge of applicable federal guidelines, are unknown. Objectives The purpose of the study was to explore the drug disposal practices of Michigan hospice home care nurses and the related attitudes and beliefs. Methods A Web-based survey was administered to a convenience sample ( n = 138) of hospice home care nurses. Results Nearly half of the respondents reported disposing of 11 or more doses per patient. Nurses most commonly disposed of the drugs by mixing them with a noxious substance and considered this method both acceptable and safe. However, more than half (55%) reported that they dispose to sewerage always or often, and nurses were concerned about legal and environmental issues around drug disposal. Most nurses reported that returning medications to the hospice office was unsafe or extremely unsafe. Conclusion Findings from this study suggest further education, practice, and research directions.
ISSN:0885-3924
1873-6513
DOI:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2011.03.024