Keywords
Palliative care
Deep sedation
End of life
Intensive Care Unit
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Abstract
Objective: To identify and develop recommendations on palliative sedation for healthcare professionals to raise awareness and foster better clinical practices in the face of refractory suffering of end-of-life patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Literature review: Palliative sedation is a last-resort therapy yet of great importance. It involves the controlled use of medications to induce a diminished or absent state of consciousness to manage symptoms such as delirium, pain, dyspnea, and psychological and existential suffering, among others. This review addressed information on sedation scales and symptom assessment, monitoring, medications, and their adverse effects, comments on nutrition and hydration, and bioethical principles and their application in daily practice. Finally, it encompassed the depth of the relationship between the patient, family, and healthcare team regarding palliative sedation. Final considerations: Palliative sedation is an evidence-based, effective, and highly complex therapy that involves ethical, somatic, psychological, social, spiritual, and cultural issues. Therefore, professional training and public education on palliative care are essential to ensure that interdisciplinary team planning, with active participation of the patient, caregiver, and family, promotes dignified and humane care.
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