Administration of as required subcutaneous medications by lay carers: developing a procedure and leaflet

Good symptom control is considered one of the factors that determines whether patients are able to die at home. This article describes a practice development project to enable carers to administer as required (PRN) subcutaneous medication, via a subcutaneous butterfly device in a community setting. Medications were mainly analgesic injections, although others, such as midazolam, were also given. The article highlights the lack of literature on the topic, reviews relevant background information and presents two successful case histories. It outlines the development of a procedure and accompanying leaflet to support community nurses in teaching relatives how to carry out this task, and the implementation of the process.