Don’t Rush to Flush: Safer Pharmaceutical Practices for Hospice Home Care and Home Health Nurses

Abstract

Hospice home care and home health nurses are essential providers in efforts to improve the care and quality of life with families who have someone living with advanced or life-limiting conditions. Because these nursing professionals are part of end-of-life care, their duties include education about and disposal of unused medications. But drug disposal has broader implications, especially for the environment, aquatic life, and ultimately for human health. The purpose of this article is to (a) introduce the topic of drug disposal within an environmental and health context, (b) identify current recommendations for drug disposal, and (c) provide suggestions for hospice home care and home health care nurses for safer drug disposal.

Keywords

hospice home health end of life drug disposal environment

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