Palliative Sedation

This session will provide an overview of palliative sedation and how to appropriately utilize this therapy for terminally ill patients with refractory physical symptoms. Position statements and case studies will be reviewed. This session will also review patient assessment, prognostication, and the ethical concerns associated with palliative sedation. Lastly, medication classes commonly used in palliative sedation therapy will be discussed.

Learning Objectives
-Define palliative sedation and goals of palliative sedation therapy (PST)
-Review position statements, processes, and conditions of sedation
-Define refractory symptoms, emphasizing the importance of documentation and planning
-Review patient assessment, prognostication, ethical concerns, and medication selection

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