Opioid Titration in the Hospice Setting: Barriers Assessment and Modification of the Model Order Sheet and Protocol

The purpose of this study is to modify the opioid titration order sheet to meet the needs of the outpatient hospice population and to conduct a pilot trial to assess feasibility, utility, and derive preliminary efficacy data.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient eligibility includes:

  • Alive Hospice outpatient
  • Diagnosis of carcinoma
  • Pain requiring fixed dose opioids
  • Age > 21 years
  • Not pregnant or lactating
  • Willing and able to sign informed consent
  • Able to speak/comprehend English

Caregiver eligibility will include:

• Caregiver for an Alive Hospice patient
• Willing and able to sign informed consent
• Able to speak/comprehend English

Hospice Staff eligibility will include:

• Currently on staff at Alive Hospice
• Willing and able to sign informed consent
• Able to read/speak English.

Referring Physician eligibility will include:

• Having recently referred patients to Alive Hospice
• Willing and able to sign informed consent and able to read/speak English.

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients < 21 years of age
• pregnant or lactating
• patients, caregiver and or Hospice staff that does not speak/comprehend English