palliative sedation

Indications

• failure of standard palliative care to relieve suffering toward the end of life

Procedure

• proportionate palliative sedation uses the minimum amount of sedation needed to relieve refractory suffering
• progressive increases in sedation may be needed, sometimes to the point of unconsciousness, but consciousness is maintained if possible
• palliative sedation with the intended end point of unconsciousness is a more controversial practice

Notes

• unlike physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia, the intent of palliative sedation is to relieve refractory suffering in patients who are dying
• death is secondary to the underlying disease process
• palliative sedation does not shorten survival

More general terms

• sedation