ADULT COMFORT KIT

A hospice comfort kit is kept in the refrigerator in home of the patient in the event of an emergency.

* This should not be opened without a nurse's orders*

Your hospice nurse will go over this kit with you.

What Is a Hospice Care Kit?

The hospice comfort kit -- also known as the emergency kit, e-kit or hospice kit -- is a prescribed set of medications that are kept in a patient's home should a medical crisis strike. Having the medications already in your home will help the hospice team treat any distressing symptoms as quickly as possible.

The hospice comfort kit may be ordered and delivered to your home at the start of hospice care or anytime the case manager nurse sees a possible need for one. The actual contents of the kit vary.

In some cases, it may be custom-designed for the hospice diagnosis, but this will vary widely among hospice agencies. The most basic of comfort kits contain medications for pain, anxiety, nausea, insomnia and breathing problems. A more complete list of medications that may be found in a hospice comfort kit and the symptoms they might treat includes:

·         Morphine liquid - used to treat pain and shortness of breath

·         Ativan (Lorazepam) - can be used to treat anxiety, nausea or insomnia

·         Atropine drops - used to treat wet respirations, also known as the death rattle

·         Levsin - an anti-cholinergic like atropine, also used to treat wet respirations

·         Haldol (Haloperidol)- can treat agitation and terminal restlessness

·         Compazine (prochlorperazine) - in either pill or rectal suppository form, this medication is used to treat nausea and vomiting

·         Phenergen (promethazine) - an anti-emetic like compazine, phenergen is used to treat nausea and vomiting

·         Dulcolax suppositories (Bisacodyl) - rectal suppositories to treat constipation

·         Senna - a plant-based laxative used to treat constipation

·         Fleet Enema - used to treat constipation if other treatments are ineffective

Other medications may be included depending on the hospice diagnosis. For example, a patient with a brain tumor who is at risk for seizures may have valium suppositories included in his comfort kit.

Retrieved from https://www.verywell.com/what-is-the-hospice-comfort-kit-1132481

Disclaimer: The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only.  If you have questions or need help, please contact your Hospice Team.

ABOUT PROCHLORPERAZINE

Prochlorperazine is prescribed for a number of different problems. In hospice, it is usually used to reduce nausea/vomiting

It may slow your reactions and make you feel drowsy. If this happens, do not drive or use tools or machines.

About prochlorperazine

Type of medicine	A phenothiazine antipsychotic medicine
Used for	The treatment of dizziness and problems with balance; the treatment of nausea and vomiting; to ease agitation and severe restlessness
Also called	Buccastem®; Stemetil®
Available as	Tablet, buccal tablet (dissolves in the mouth), oral liquid medicine, and injection

Common prochlorperazine side-effects	What can I do if I experience this?
Feeling dizzy or sleepy, blurred vision, slowed reaction time	If this happens, do not drive or use tools or machines. Do not drink alcohol
Headache	Ask your hospice nurse to recommend a suitable painkiller
Dry mouth	Try chewing sugar-free gum or sugar-free sweets
Feeling shaky or restless, unusual or uncontrollable muscle movements	Speak with your hospice nurse as soon as possible about any of these. Your treatment may need adjusting
Changes to the way your body regulates temperature	Take care in hot or cold weather to make sure that you do not get too hot or too cold
Changes in weight, difficulty sleeping, mood changes, stuffy nose, changes in sexual ability, breast enlargement, production of breast milk, menstrual problems, fast heartbeats, constipation, difficulty passing urine	Discuss these with your hospice nurse if any become troublesome

Important information about all medicines

Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else might have taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital. Take the container with you, even if it is empty. This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours. Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you. If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist. Retrieved from: http://patient.info/medicine/prochlorperazine-buccastem-stemetil Disclaimer: The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only.  If you have questions or need help, please contact your Hospice Team.

ABOUT METOCLOPRAMIDE

Metoclopramide is to help prevent you from feeling or being sick.

Side-effects are rare, but some may cause you to be concerned. If you experience any unusual symptoms, speak with your hospice nurse straightaway.

Type of medicine	Anti-emetic
Used for	Nausea and vomiting, Gastric stasis (bowels not moving)
Also called	Maxolon®
Available as	Tablets, oral liquid medicine, and injection
Metoclopramide side-effects	What can I do if I experience this?
Feeling dizzy or sleepy	If this happens, do not drive or use tools or machines
Diarrhoea (with high doses)	Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluid
Dry mouth, rash, breast tenderness, fast heartbeat, irregular periods	If any of these become troublesome, speak with your hospice nurse
Distressing muscle or movement disorders affecting the body, face, or eyes	Let your hospice nurse know about this straightaway

Important information about all medicines

Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else might have taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital. Take the container with you, even if it is empty. This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours. Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you. If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist. Retrieved From: http://patient.info/medicine/metoclopramide-maxolon Disclaimer: The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only.  If you have questions or need help, please contact your Hospice Team.

ABOUT HALOPERIDOL

Haloperidol is used to treat a number of different problems.

It may slow your reactions and make you feel drowsy. If this happens, do not drive and do not use tools or machines.

Type of medicine	An antipsychotic medicine
Used mainly for	Agitation, delirium, nausea, and hiccups
Also called	Haldol®, Serenace®
Available as	Tablets, capsules, and oral liquid medicine

Common haloperidol side-effects	What can I do if I experience this?
Headache	Ask your hospice nurse to recommend a suitable painkiller
Feeling dizzy or sleepy, blurred vision	If this happens, do not drive and do not use tools or machines
Feeling light-headed when you stand up	This can happen particularly when you first start taking this medicine. Getting up more slowly until you are aware how you react should help
Stomach upset	Stick to simple meals, avoid rich or spicy foods
Dry mouth	Try chewing sugar-free gum or sucking sugar-free sweets
Feeling shaky or restless, unusual or uncontrollable muscle movements	Speak with your hospice nurse as soon as possible about any of these. Your treatment may need adjusting
Changes in weight, difficulty sleeping, mood changes, stuffy nose, changes in sexual ability, breast enlargement, production of breast milk, menstrual problems, fast heartbeat, constipation, difficulty passing urine, skin rash	Discuss these with your hospice nurse if any become troublesome

Important information about all medicines

Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else might have taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital. Take the container with you, even if it is empty. This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours. Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you. If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist. Retrieved from: http://patient.info/medicine/haloperidol-haldol-serenace Disclaimer: The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only.  If you have questions or need help, please contact your Hospice Team.

ABOUT LORAZEPAM

Lorazepam has a calming effect. It is prescribed for several different conditions.

Lorazepam is likely to affect your reactions and ability to drive. These effects can last into the following day. It is an offence to drive while your reactions are impaired.

Do not drink alcohol while you are on lorazepam.

About lorazepam

Type of medicine	A benzodiazepine
Used for	Anxiety; insomnia associated with anxiety; Nausea; difficult or labored breathing; seizures;  as pre-medication before surgery or medical procedures; acute panic attacks; convulsions
Available as	Tablets and injection

Common lorazepam side-effects	What can I do if I experience this?
Feeling sleepy, weak, or light-headed (these can continue into the following day)	Do not drive and do not use tools or machines. Do not drink alcohol
Forgetfulness, feeling confused or unsteady	If any of these become troublesome, speak with your hospice nurse
Feeling (or being) aggressive	This can happen in some people - let your hospice nurse know about it as soon as possible

Important information about all medicines

Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else might have taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital. Take the container with you, even if it is empty. This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours. If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines. Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you. If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist Retrieved from : http://patient.info/medicine/lorazepam-a-benzodiazepine Disclaimer: The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only.  If you have questions or need help, please contact your Hospice Team.

ABOUT MORPHINE

Morphine is prescribed to treat pain and shortness of breath.

The most common side-effects are constipation, drowsiness and feeling sick. Your will be prescribed medicines to take with morphine to help with some of these side-effects.

Type of medicine	Strong opioid painkiller
Used for	Pain relief and shortness of breath, difficult or labored breathing
Also called	Oramorph®; Sevredol®; Filnarine®; Morphgesic®; MST Continus®; MXL®; Zomorph®
Available as	Tablets, slow-release tablets and capsules, oral liquid medicine, sachets, and injection
Common morphine side-effects	What can I do if I experience this?
Feeling or being sick	Stick to simple meals - avoid rich or spicy foods. Also, try taking your doses after food, as this may help to protect your stomach
Shallow breathing	Let your hospice nurse know about this
Feeling dizzy, sleepy or drowsy	If this happens, do not drive or use tools or machines. Do not drink alcohol
Constipation	You will be placed on a bowel management program.  If you are experiencing difficulties, talk with your hospice nurse
Dry mouth	Try chewing sugar-free gum or sucking sugar-free sweets
Other common side-effects include: feeling confused or disorientated, itching, sweating, mood changes, disturbed sleep, headache, difficulties passing urine, flushing, and rash	If any of these become troublesome, speak with your hospice nurse

Important information about all medicines

Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else might have taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital. Take the container with you, even if it is empty. This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours. Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you. If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist. Retrieved from: http://patient.info/medicine/morphine-for-pain-relief Disclaimer: The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only.  If you have questions or need help, please contact your Hospice Team.