Ohio’s Hospice Responds to Injectable Opioid Crisis

NEWARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- U.S. healthcare providers continue to face an unpredictable and threatening shortage of injectable opioids – medications needed for patients in acute pain or facing serious or terminal illnesses such as cancer, surgery or traumatic injury.

When Ohio’s Hospice received notice that they had only four day’s supply of injectable opioid medications remaining, the Hospice responded to the crisis by implementing and using the Macy Catheter, a device that enables an alternate route of medication administration.

Ohio’s Hospice is familiar with boldly taking alternative routes. In 1978, Ohio became one of the first places in the country to offer hospice care. Nurse and Dayton resident Betty Schmoll led the effort to establish hospice care, pulling together support from all area hospitals and a group of dedicated volunteers. Hospice of Dayton was founded, and many years later, in 2011, it joined with Hospice of Miami County to form Ohio’s Hospice, an alliance of non-profit hospice providers across the state sharing in best practices, established high standards and a vision of strengthening and preserving community-based hospice.

FDA cleared, the Macy Catheter provides access to the clinically proven rectal route of delivery. It is designed to make the rectal route a practical, painless and discreet alternative for those medications that can be prescribed per rectum.

Ohio’s Hospice partnered with Hospi Corporation to create the documentary, How Ohio’s Hospice Maintains Patient Comfort and Dignity in the Midst of Injectable Medication Shortages. The 20-minute educational video is a free resource developed to share Ohio’s Hospice best practices in the adoption of the Macy Catheter and to communicate the clinical impact of this new technology so that patients in the care of other organizations can also benefit.

The Vice President of Medical Services at Ohio’s Hospice said, “Based on my experience on our hospice inpatient unit, the Macy Catheter is faster than subcutaneous in controlling pain with opioids and I am able to control pain with less opioid dose adjustments. It is also very effective in most instances in quickly controlling terminal agitation and other symptoms. It saves nursing time and decreases medication cost and waste. I will never go back to my prior practice and will continue using the Macy Catheter.”

Igal Ladabaum, Hospi Corporation co-founder and CEO, said, “When the oral route is compromised, clinicians are turning to the Macy Catheter. The Catheter is being used to help patients in multiple settings, including in hospice and palliative care, skilled nursing facilities, and the emergency department. We are delighted that we could help Ohio’s Hospice respond to the injectable medication shortages, as enhancing patient comfort and dignity is what Hospi is all about.”

About Hospi Corporation

Hospi Corporation developed the Macy Catheter to provide the best alternative for rapid administration of medication and fluids. The Macy Catheter improves patient care and nursing efficiency while decreasing the cost of care. For more information, visit MacyCatheter.com

About Ohio’s Hospice

Ohio’s Hospice is a partnership of mission-driven, not-for-profit hospices in Ohio committed to a shared vision of strengthening and preserving community-based hospices. For more information, visit Ohioshospice.org

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