A person who is a good friend and also is a Person With Parkinson's (PWP) had reason to need hospitalization. They were in the hospital for a few days and then released to a rehabilitation facility. Cognitive and behavioral changes followed, causing the medical staff to administer Haldol. Haldol is contraindicated for use in Parkinson's patients.
The facility may have some drugs, including Haldol, as a "Standing Order".. Standing orders are used in public health in special scenarios as a means to get prescription medications out to those who need it without the delay of having to have a prescription.
Haldol and other "first generation" antipsychotic drugs should not be prescribed for people with Parkinson's.
Antipsychotic Drugs Linked to Increased Mortality Among Parkinson's Disease Patients
One way to block medical staff from using standing orders to administer Haldol and other contraindicated drugs is to have the drugs listed as an allergy for the patient. Doing this will cause the pharmacy to flag the use of the drug.
Get well soon to my friend and to others who may be in need of healing,
Be prepared for a hospital stay by reading more at: Parkinson.org/HospitalSafety.
More helpful information will be found on the websites of these trusted organizations:
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