Pharmacist Ellen Fulp is passionate about using medications appropriately to care for patients who are at their most vulnerable. As a part of the hospice interdisciplinary team, Ellen collaborates with the hospice director and nurse to ensure quality of life is supported, and a patient’s suffering is reduced. Caregivers and patients often misunderstand how medication is used in hospice care. Ellen believes in symptom resolution, keeping the patient’s goals of care in mind.

In hospice care, pharmacists do more than just review medications for side effects or adverse effects. They help the clinical team find the best medication options to keep the patient comfortable. That includes finding the right route, the most convenient and safe times for administering the medications, and ensuring the medications are utilized correctly by the patient. When medication diversion (meds being stolen or used by someone else) is a concern, pharmacists coordinate with the hospice team to furnish the meds in a safe, legally compliant way. Pharmacists might not be part of the “core team”, but they’re a vital part of the care of a hospice patient.

Connect with Ellen Fulp, PharmD, MSPC, BCG, Director of Pharmacy Education at AvaCare, on LinkedIn.

Find all the resources that Barbara Karnes has to offer at bkbooks.com.

Purchase the End of Life Guideline Series Bundle here.

Find Barbara’s new booklet Always Offer, Never Force: Food at the End of Life here.

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Order your copies of The Hospice Care Plan: A Path to Comfort here, now available in English and Spanish!

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Read more about Nancy and Brenda and their mission to improve hospice care here.

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Hospice Navigation Services is here for you. If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.

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Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com)