Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2020
Review Meta AnalysisChanging practices in the use of continuous sedation at the end of life. A systematic review of the literature.
The use of continuous sedation until death (CSD) has been highly debated for many years. It is unknown how the use of CSD evolves over time. Reports suggest that there is an international increase in the use of CSD for terminally ill patients. ⋯ The frequency of CSD seems to increase over time, possibly partly because of an extension of indications for sedation, from mainly physical symptoms to also nonphysical symptoms.
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The International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care developed a consensus-based definition of palliative care (PC) that focuses on the relief of serious health-related suffering, a concept put forward by the Lancet Commission Global Access to Palliative Care and Pain Relief. ⋯ Participants had significantly different perceptions and interpretations of PC. The greatest challenge faced by the core group was trying to find a middle ground between those who think that PC is the relief of all suffering and those who believe that PC describes the care of those with a very limited remaining life span.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2020
Dying from Covid-19: Loneliness, end-of-life discussions and support for patients and their families in nursing homes and hospitals. A national register study.
Preparation for an impending death through end-of-life (EOL) discussions and human presence when a person is dying is important for both patients and families. ⋯ Dying from COVID-19 negatively affects the possibility of holding an EOL discussion and the chances of dying with someone present. This has considerable social and existential consequences for both patients and families.