In the quiet halls where dignity is meant to meet its final bow, something’s going wrong. And not in the way you might think. We’re not talking about reimbursement cuts or patient volume dips. No, this one’s sneakier. Slower. And more expensive than most folks realize.
We’re talking about medication delays. And they’re quietly draining upwards of $100,000 a year from hospice agencies while robbing patients of the comfort they deserve.
The Pain Behind the Curtain
Imagine a nurse stretched thin across too many patients waiting on a medication order that was supposed to arrive yesterday. Maybe it’s stuck in transit. Maybe it was rerouted. Maybe it was never filled properly in the first place. Regardless, one thing is certain: the patient is still waiting.
In fact, 96% of nurses say that these delays cause patient distress.
Let that sink in. Nearly every nurse in hospice has watched a patient suffer, not because help wasn’t available, but because it was late. And in hospice, time is not a luxury.
Get Medications Faster with BetterRX.
The Pharmacy System is Buckling
This isn’t just a bad day here or there. It’s systemic. Like a leaky roof during a storm—it’s not a matter of if it’ll cause damage, but when.
Here’s what the data tells us:
- 48% of patients experience mail-order medication delays
- 23% of orders require emergency rerouting
- 57% of hospices are facing chronic staffing shortages
And the costs? They pile up faster than a winter woodpile:
- Nurses lose an estimated $25,000/year in wasted time chasing meds
- STAT orders run $500–$800 a pop
- Emergency room visits triggered by med delays can clock in at $2,000–$3,000 each
- And let’s not forget the 2–5x markup on non-preferred meds or the 30% waste rate from unused comfort kits
When you put it all together, it’s no wonder some hospices are seeing six figures vanish in inefficiency.
It Doesn't Have to Be This Way
There’s no reason that patients in their final days should be waiting on hold or in pain. And there’s no reason agencies should be bleeding cash on preventable problems.
Here are four ways forward—proven, practical, and ready to roll:
- Real-Time Medication Management & ePrescribing
Goodbye faxes and phone tag. Hello instant orders and transparency.
- Custom Formulary Management
Tailor it to your team and your patients. Expect 15–20% savings right out the gate.
- Local Pharmacy Partnerships
Less rerouting. Fewer emergencies. More trust between families and care teams.
- Staff Education & Deprescribing
Knowledge is power and fewer unnecessary meds means smoother care and fewer costs.
Let's Rewrite the Story
Hospice should be about comfort, not chaos. Peace, not paperwork. Dignity, not delays.
At BetterRX, we’re not just pointing out the problems—we’re building the better way. If you’re ready to stop losing time, trust, and dollars to a broken system, we’re here to help you turn the page.
Schedule a Demo today.
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