Palliative Sedation

1. Definition

Palliative sedation is the last resort of treatment of refractory symptoms (most common are delirium and dyspnea - Cochrane), by deliberately reducing the conscious level of the patient with use of medication.

It is different from euthanasia due to the intention of the treatment. There is NO intention to cause hastening of death or death in Palliative sedation.

2. Guideline