Question about Fentanyl/Durogesic patches

**P_RN** · Feb 04, 2003, 08:41 PM

I used these for a short period of time after I hurt my back.

Another thing to remember is they CAN NOT be CUT! The medicine is floating between the plastic backing and the permeable layer. A patient with fever, in a hot room, or under an electric blanket can get overdosed quickly due to increased absorption. If the skin beneath the patch gets irritated you can get the doc to order a steroid inhaler (preferabley the dry type) and puff that on the skin before you apply the patch. On patients I like to write the date and time right on the patch. Also I like to put it in a fairly accessable place so it isn't overlooked by the next caregiver.

renerian · Feb 05, 2003, 05:25 AM

Hoolahan good suggestions on the manufacture of the product.

renerian

Sleepyeyes · Feb 05, 2003, 07:55 AM

I really like the patch for pts. who have chronic severe pain, and usually we've had a good result.

I had only one patient out of many who was found to be allergic.

*kids* · Feb 05, 2003, 10:31 AM

Another suggestion based on using the patches in LTC...visually check the patch is present every shift. We had a couple of slightly confused LOLs whos patches would turn up missing, we assumed they had come off with clothing etc...until we found a caregiver OD'd in a linen closet.

sunnygirl272 · Feb 05, 2003, 10:59 AM

Originally posted by kids-r-fun
Another suggestion based on using the patches in LTC...visually check the patch is present every shift. We had a couple of slightly confused LOLs whos patches would turn up missing, we assumed they had come off with clothing etc...until we found a caregiver OD'd in a linen closet.

DOOD!! are you SERIOUS!?!??!?!

*kids* · Feb 05, 2003, 12:34 PM

Originally posted by sunnygirl272
DOOD!! are you SERIOUS!?!??!?!

As a heart attack. Pretty freekin pathetic...peeling Fentanyl patches off of a LOL's back to catch a buzz.

SharkLPN · Feb 05, 2003, 01:02 PM

My facility requires documentation with a witness that a fentanyl patch was removed and disposed of properly (ie - a sharps container) just as we would extra morphine in a syringe for that exact reason.

Supposedly, the gooey innards can be sucked out and injested for a high, even when the patch has been in place for it's allotted time frame.

Yuck!

TNcanNURSE · Feb 05, 2003, 01:09 PM

Originally posted by P_RN
) On patients I like to write the date and time right on the patch.

The Duragesic box comes with a little set of stickers in it where you can write the date and initial. Be sure not to write directly on the patch because this will affect the time release mechanism.

TNcanNURSE · Feb 05, 2003, 01:12 PM

Originally posted by SharkLPN
My facility requires documentation with a witness that a fentanyl patch was removed and disposed of properly (ie - a sharps container) just as we would extra morphine in a syringe for that exact reason.

Supposedly, the gooey innards can be sucked out and injested for a high, even when the patch has been in place for it's allotted time frame.

Yuck!

Well I learn something new everyday. Thanks for the info as I generally just throw them in the trash. I never would have thought that anybody could get a high off of one that is old. I guess the drug lords come up with new and exciting ways to get high all the time. But seriously, that is GROSS.

sunnygirl272 · Feb 05, 2003, 01:28 PM

Originally posted by TNcanNURSE
Well I learn something new everyday. Thanks for the info as I generally just throw them in the trash. I never would have thought that anybody could get a high off of one that is old. I guess the drug lords come up with new and exciting ways to get high all the time. But seriously, that is GROSS.

another reason to flush or dispose of in a sharps container-confused, wandering people picking through garbage...or in a home situation, small kids and animals...doesn't take alot to kill a little person/pet....

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Question about Fentanyl/Durogesic patches

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