Table 4.
Utilization and Impact of the HEK as Reported in Weekly Telephone Calls (n=43)
| N | % of total sample | % of users | |
|---|---|---|---|
| HEK used a least once (n=43) | 21 | 48.8 | – |
| Number of uses (range=0–8; n=43) | |||
| None | 22 | 51.2 | – |
| 1 use | 10 | 23.3 | 47.6 |
| 2 uses | 2 | 4.7 | 9.5 |
| 3 uses | 2 | 4.7 | 9.5 |
| 4 uses | 2 | 4.7 | 9.5 |
| 5 uses | 2 | 4.7 | 9.5 |
| 6 uses | 1 | 2.3 | 4.8 |
| 7 uses | 1 | 2.3 | 4.8 |
| 8 uses | 1 | 2.3 | 4.8 |
| Items used (n=43)a | |||
| Morphine concentrate | 13 | 30.2 | 61.9 |
| Lorazepam | 9 | 20.9 | 42.9 |
| Antibiotic | 7 | 16.3 | 33.3 |
| Promethazine | 6 | 14.0 | 28.6 |
| Haloperidol | 4 | 9.3 | 19.0 |
| Furosemide | 4 | 9.3 | 19.0 |
| Scopolamine patch | 2 | 4.7 | 9.5 |
| Unknown/unable to recall | 4 | 9.3 | 19.0 |
| Did you speak with your hospice nurse about using HEK? (n=43) | |||
| Yes (at least once) | 21 | 48.8 | 100.0 |
| No (never) | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| N/A (no HEK use reported) | 22 | 51.2 | – |
| Did the nurse help manage symptoms by: (n=43) | |||
| Phone only | 2 | 4.7 | 9.5 |
| Home visit only | 6 | 14.0 | 28.6 |
| Both phone and home visit | 13 | 30.2 | 61.9 |
| N/A (no HEK use reported) | 22 | 51.2 | – |
| Was the medication in the HEK helpful in controlling/relieving the symptoms/problem you were having? (n=43) | |||
| Yes (at least once) | 16 | 37.2 | 76.2 |
| No (never) | 3 | 7.0 | 14.3 |
| Unsure | 2 | 4.7 | 9.5 |
| N/A (no HEK use reported) | 22 | 51.2 | – |
| Did the patient consider going to the ED/hospital when symptoms were not well controlled? (n=43) | |||
| Yes (at least once) | 13 | 30.2 | 61.9 |
| No (never) | 8 | 18.6 | 38.1 |
| N/A (no HEK use reported) | 22 | 51.2 | – |
| Did the treatment from the HEK help patient stay at home? (n=43) | |||
| Yes (at least once) | 15 | 34.9 | 71.4 |
| No (never) | 1 | 2.3 | 4.8 |
| Unsure | 5 | 11.6 | 23.8 |
| N/A (no HEK use reported) | 22 | 51.2 | – |
| Did you feel anxious or afraid regarding using any of the medications from the HEK? (n=43) | |||
| Yes (at least once) | 4 | 9.3 | 19.0 |
| No (never) | 17 | 39.5 | 81.0 |
| N/A (no HEK use reported) | 22 | 51.2 | – |
| Did the patient experience any negative effects from using any of the medications from the HEK? (n=43) | |||
| Yes (at least once) | 4 | 9.3 | 19.0 |
| No (never) | 17 | 39.5 | 81.0 |
| N/A (no HEK use reported) | 22 | 51.2 | – |
| N | % of incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| How long did the patient have the troubling symptoms before using the HEK? (n=59 incidents) | ||
| ≤1 hour | 21 | 35.6 |
| ≤1 day | 8 | 13.6 |
| >1 day | 10 | 16.9 |
| N/A (regular medication) | 9 | 15.3 |
| Not sure/not descriptive | 11 | 18.6 |
| How long did it take for the medication in the HEK to help relieve the troubling symptoms? (n=59 incidents) | ||
| ≤1 hour | 28 | 47.5 |
| >1 hour to <1 day | 4 | 6.8 |
| >1 day | 3 | 5.1 |
| No relief | 5 | 8.5 |
| Not able to specify | 19 | 32.2 |
a
The numbers of cases add to more than 100% because each patient could have used more than one medication.
ED, emergency department.