Introduction Palliative sedation(PS) is the monitored use of medications intended to induce a state of decreased or absent awareness (unconsciousness) at the end of life(EOL) in order to relieve the burden of otherwise intractable suffering in a manner that is ethically acceptable to the patient, family and health-care providers.^{1 2}

A hospice is a place designed to provide palliative care and emotional support to the terminally ill in homelike setting so that quality of life is maintained and family members and active participants in care. The hospice of this study is in Hyderabad and of 22 beds under Pain Relief and Palliative Care Society (PRPCS).

Aim To evaluate demographics, diagnosis, symptom needing PS, medications used and outcomes.

Methods Retrospective case-sheet study of a time period of 6 months (1/5/2023 to 30/11/2023)

Results During this time period, total 516 patients were admitted (with readmission); of which 16(3.1%) patients got palliative sedation. 8(50%) of 16 patients were having severe refractory dyspnoea, 6(37.5%) of them were with terminal restlessness, 2(12.5%) of them were with refractory pain. Out of 16 patients 2(12.5%) were admitted with non-cancer diagnosis. Only 1 patient discharged, 15(93.75%) of them passed away, all of them were peaceful death. Medications used will be discussed.

Conclusions A hospice relieves the burden of otherwise intractable suffering in EOL by means palliative sedation.

References

1. Bhyan P, Pesce MB, Shrestha U, Goyal A. Palliative sedation in patients with terminal illness; 2017.

2. Maltoni M, Scarpi E, Rosati M, et al. Palliative sedation in end-of-life care and survival: a systematic review. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2012/04/20 2012;30(12):1378–1383. doi:10.1200/JCO.2011.37.3795