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.