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Published on: December 11, 2016
Managing unused pharmaceuticals in a hospice setting: a pilot study.
1Teleosis Institute, Berkeley, CA 94707, USA. drkreisberg@teleosis.org
The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care
|April 28, 2011
Summary
This study shows that a mail-back envelope system can help manage pharmaceutical waste in hospice care. Education for staff is key, but higher return rates are needed for better environmental protection.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
- Pharmaceutical Science
Background:
- Growing concern over pharmaceutical waste in the environment due to increased healthcare drug use.
- Potential health risks posed by improper disposal of medications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of a mail-back envelope system for pharmaceutical waste disposal in a hospice setting.
- To evaluate the impact of nurse education on medication disposal practices.
Main Methods:
- Nurses in a Concord, California hospice received training on a medication disposal service using mail-back envelopes.
- Over a 6-month period, 400 mailers were distributed, and returned mailers were tracked for disposal.
Main Results:
- 160 out of 400 distributed mailers were returned for disposal.
- A total of 107 pounds of pharmaceuticals were diverted for incineration.
- The average weight of pharmaceuticals per returned mailer was 0.66 pounds.
Conclusions:
- The mail-back system, coupled with staff education, shows potential for improving pharmaceutical waste management.
- Alternative strategies may be required to enhance the return rate of disposal envelopes.
- Effective pharmaceutical waste management is crucial for environmental and public health protection.
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