HP’s peer-reviewed, evidence based Medication Use Guidelines (MUGs), are the first annually updated protocols for palliative symptom management. What makes them unique is the use of HP’s outcomes database that enables the incorporation of patient outcomes data to be incorporated into the guidelines.

For instance, using HP’s database, HP has found that in a study of hospice patients, there is no difference in patient outcomes when using first line long-acting morphine versus transdermal fentanyl, that hospice patients have better outcomes with the use of prochlorperazine compared to ondansetron, and that temazepam is just as helpful as zolpidem for sleep (this study will be published in the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, March, 2006).

The MUGs are only available to partnering hospices, as they have been designed for use only within the HP system, in concert with expert clinical pharmacist consultation and outcomes monitoring.

	Sample MUGs
	Research on MUG medication (coming soon!)
	Publication links about the MUGs (coming soon!)
	email the MUGs Committee