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Palliative Sedation in Germany: How Much Do We Know? A Prospective Survey.
- Source :
-
Journal of Palliative Medicine . Jun2012, Vol. 15 Issue 6, p672-680. 9p. 9 Charts. - Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- Background: Little is known about the practice of palliative sedation (PS) in Germany. This paper presents an analysis of sedation-related data obtained from the German standardized core documentation system (HOPE) for palliative care patients. Methods: HOPE was complemented by an optional module on ethical decision making (EDM) which was pretested in 2004, data was collected in 2005-6 during the annual 3-month census. Data was analyzed descriptively from palliative care units (PCU - representative) and inpatient hospice (H - non-representative control group). Chi2 test was used to test for differences between the reported data per item and year within one kind of setting (significance level p ≤ 0.05). Free-text entries were categorized inductively. Results: Datasets were obtained for 1,944 patients (P) with EDM. PS was performed in 13.0/11.8% (2005/2006) P in palliative care units (PCU) and 25.5/22.9% in hospices (H). Main reasons for PS in PCU were dyspnea, pain, fear or anxiety, in H reasons were inconsistent, high prevalence of psychosocial reasons. Most PS in PCU and about half of the PS in H were intermittent. Sedated P were younger than non-sedated. Only 7 P received PS after asking for euthanasia. The most used medication was midazolam. Conclusions: This study reveals a first insight into the use and practice of PS in German PCU and H. For a more detailed systematic survey into the course of decision-making and procedures, a new complementary optional module on PS is being developed by the HOPE group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10966218
- Volume :
- 15
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Palliative Medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 76321228
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2011.0395