TY - JOUR
T1 - Family carers’ administration of injectable medications at the end-of-life: a service evaluation of a novel intervention
AU - O'Hara, Lisa
AU - Evans, Catherine
AU - Bowers, Ben
N1 - Funding Information:
Declaration of interest: Ben Bowers was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) School for Primary Care Research, and Primary Care Unit, University of Cambridge. Catherine Evans was funded by an NIHR/Health Education England Senior Clinical Lectureship (NIHR ICA-SCL-2015-01-001). The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 MA Healthcare Ltd.
PY - 2023/6/2
Y1 - 2023/6/2
N2 - Timely and safe administration of injectable medications for patients at home is vital in optimally managing distressing symptoms in the final days of life. This article discusses a service evaluation of family carers' (including close friends) administrating subcutaneous end-of-life medications. The procedure was not intended to become normal care, rather the exception when appropriate and needed, with 24/7 skilled support from community nursing and palliative care services. A service evaluation of the procedure was undertaken in rural and urban areas in the South East of England. The procedure ran over 6 months and used detailed processes with recruitment criteria to mitigate risk of harm. In total, 11 patients participated with their family carers, including five carers with experience in healthcare roles. Of the 11 family carers, 10 were able to administer injections safely with structured training and support in place. Patients received timely symptom relief and their family carers were able to support loved ones by administering injectable medications rapidly without waiting for a nurse to arrive. This was particularly welcomed in more rural areas where waiting times were greater due to the large geographical area covered and limited staff availability during out-of-hours periods. The findings informed a carefully monitored wider rollout and ongoing evaluation in adult community nursing services in the NHS Trust.
AB - Timely and safe administration of injectable medications for patients at home is vital in optimally managing distressing symptoms in the final days of life. This article discusses a service evaluation of family carers' (including close friends) administrating subcutaneous end-of-life medications. The procedure was not intended to become normal care, rather the exception when appropriate and needed, with 24/7 skilled support from community nursing and palliative care services. A service evaluation of the procedure was undertaken in rural and urban areas in the South East of England. The procedure ran over 6 months and used detailed processes with recruitment criteria to mitigate risk of harm. In total, 11 patients participated with their family carers, including five carers with experience in healthcare roles. Of the 11 family carers, 10 were able to administer injections safely with structured training and support in place. Patients received timely symptom relief and their family carers were able to support loved ones by administering injectable medications rapidly without waiting for a nurse to arrive. This was particularly welcomed in more rural areas where waiting times were greater due to the large geographical area covered and limited staff availability during out-of-hours periods. The findings informed a carefully monitored wider rollout and ongoing evaluation in adult community nursing services in the NHS Trust.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85160969118&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.12968/bjcn.2023.28.6.284
DO - 10.12968/bjcn.2023.28.6.284
M3 - Article
SN - 1462-4753
VL - 28
SP - 284
EP - 292
JO - British Journal of Community Nursing
JF - British Journal of Community Nursing
IS - 6
ER -