Continuous subcutaneous infusion for pain control in dying patients: experiences from a tertiary palliative care center.

BACKGROUND: Continuous subcutaneous infusion (CSCI) via ambulatory infusion pump (AIP) is a valuable method of pain control in palliative care. When using CSCI, low-dose methadone as add-on to other opioids might be an option in complex pain situations. This study aimed to investigate the effects, and adverse effects, of CSCI for pain control in dying patients, with particular interest in methadone use. METHODS: This was an observational cohort study. Imminently dying patients with pain, admitted to specialized palliative inpatient wards and introduced on CSCI, were monitored daily by staff for symptoms (Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale - IPOS), sedation (Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale - RASS), performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group - ECOG) and delirium (Confusion Assessment Method - CAM). RESULTS: Ninety-three patients with a median survival of 4 days were included. Of the 47 patients who survived ≥3 days, the proportion of patients with severe/overwhelming pain decreased from 45 to 19% (p < 0.001) after starting CSCI, with only a moderate increase in morphine equivalent daily dose of opioids (MEDD). Alertness was marginally decreased (1 point on the 10-point RASS scale, p = 0.001), whereas performance status and prevalence of delirium, regardless of age, remained unchanged. Both patients with methadone as add-on (MET, n = 13) and patients with only other opioids (NMET, n = 34), improved in pain control (p < 0.05 and 0.001, respectively), despite that MET patients had higher pain scores at baseline (p < 0.05) and were on a higher MEDD (240 mg vs.133 mg). No serious adverse effects demanding treatment stop were reported. CONCLUSIONS: CSCI via AIP is an effective way to reduce pain in dying patients without increased adverse effects. Add-on methadone may be beneficial in patients with severe complex pain.

Achieving successful subcutaneous access in palliative patients.

Subcutaneous administration of medications is a well-recognised route for delivering prescribed therapies, in particular analgesia for patients requiring palliative care. Technological advancements in infusion devices and dressings can result in well-tolerated and effective methods for continuous infusions for this group of individuals. This article discusses how technological developments are resulting in subcutaneous access devices that are easy to insert and can meet the needs of a growing patient population, as well as complying with the latest guidelines on sharps safety. Combining these with staff education could result in improved patient care.

Nursing knowledge and practices regarding subcutaneous fluid administration / Conocimientos y prácticas de enfermería en la administración de fluidos por vía subcutánea / Conhecimentos e práticas da enfermagem na administração de fluidos por via subcutânea

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the evidence in the literature regarding the knowledge and practices of the nursing team about subcutaneous administration of drugs and fluids in adults. Method: Integrative review of the literature using the descriptors "nursing", "hypodermoclysis", "drug administration routes", "adult health," and "knowledge," in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, with no publication deadline. Of the 569 articles found, eight made up the sample. Results: A predominance of international journals (75%) with more than five years of publication (62.5%). The analysis of the methodological characteristics showed a predominance of literature reviews (25%), quantitative studies (62.5%), cross-sectional studies (50%), and non-experimental studies (50%). Conclusion: Although it is an old technique with proven efficacy, hypodermoclysis is still little used, a puzzling fact due to its advantages and indications for any age.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Describir las evidencias, en la literatura, acerca de los conocimientos y prácticas del equipo de enfermería sobre administración de medicamentos y fluidos por vía subcutánea en adultos. Método: Revisión integrativa de la literatura, utilizando los descriptores: enfermería, hipodermoclisis, vías de administración de medicamentos, salud del adulto y conocimiento; en idiomas inglés, español y portugués, sin fecha límite de publicación. Fueron encontrados 569 artículos, de los cuales 8 integraron la muestra. Resultados: Predominio de revistas internacionales (75%), y con más de cinco años de publicación (62,5%). Al analizarse las características metodológicas, predominaron: revisiones de literatura (25%), estudios cuantitativos (62,5%), estudios transversales (50%) y no experimentales (50%). Conclusión: A pesar de tratarse de una técnica antigua de comprobada eficacia, la hipodermoclisis es aún poco utilizada, hecho inexplicable, dadas sus ventajas e indicaciones para cualquier edad.

RESUMO Objetivo: descrever as evidências, na literatura, sobre os conhecimentos e as práticas da equipe de enfermagem na administração de medicamentos e de fluidos por via subcutânea no adulto. Método: revisão integrativa da literatura utilizando os descritores enfermagem, hipodermóclise, vias de administração de medicamentos, saúde do adulto e conhecimento; nos idiomas inglês, espanhol e português, sem data limite de publicação. Dos 569 artigos encontrados, oito compuseram a amostra. Resultados: predomínio de revistas internacionais (75%) e com mais de cinco anos de publicação (62,5%). Ao analisarem-se as características metodológicas, predominaram: revisões de literatura (25%), estudos quantitativos (62,5%), estudos transversais (50%) e não-experimentais (50%). Conclusão: apesar de se tratar de uma técnica antiga com eficácia comprovada, a hipodermóclise ainda é pouco utilizada, fato incoerente pelas suas vantagens e suas indicações para qualquer idade.

Identification of drug combinations administered by continuous subcutaneous infusion that require analysis for compatibility and stability.

BACKGROUND: A continuous subcutaneous infusion (CSCI) delivered via syringe pump is a method of drug administration used to maintain symptom control when a patient is no longer able to tolerate oral medication. Several classes of drugs, such as opioids, antiemetics, anticholinergics, antipsychotics and benzodiazepines are routinely administered by CSCI alone or in combinations. Previous studies attempting to identify the most-common CSCI combinations are now several years old and no longer reflect current clinical practice. The aim of this work was to review current clinical practice and identify CSCI drug combinations requiring analysis for chemical compatibility and stability. METHODS: UK pharmacy professionals involved in the delivery of care to palliative patients in hospitals and hospices were invited to enter CSCI combinations comprised of two or more drugs onto an electronic database over a 12-month period. In addition, a separate Delphi study with a panel of 15 expert healthcare professionals was completed to identify a maximum of five combinations of drugs used to treat more complex, but less commonly encountered symptoms unlikely to be identified by the national survey. RESULTS: A total of 57 individuals representing 33 separate palliative care services entered 1,945 drug combinations suitable for analysis, with 278 discrete combinations identified. The top 40 drug combinations represented nearly two-thirds of combinations recorded. A total of 23 different drugs were administered in combination and the median number of drugs in a combination was three. The Delphi study identified five combinations for the relief of complex or refractory symptoms. CONCLUSION: This study represents the first step towards developing authoritative national guidance on the administration of drugs by CSCI. Further work will ensure healthcare practitioners have the knowledge and confidence that a prescribed combination will be both safe and efficacious.