Forum.
Discussion
Monitoring of patients sedated for symptom control at the end of life is an under-researched area. Some studies have monitored symptom control during the sedation process 5, 6 , and one implied monitoring of the level of sedation 5 . More studies have been carried out of procedure-related sedation 8, or sedation in the ICU 9, but their findings may not be entirely relevant to palliative care. Based on our experience, and discussion with colleagues, we believe that monitoring of patients sedated at end of life should be for comfort level, sedation level, and adverse effects of sedation e.g. vulnerability to pressure effects, inability to eat or drink. The nearness of the patient to death will influence the priority given to fluid and nutrition.status.
When a patient is sedated the family members will need support. One study emphasised the importance of this support 4 , but no others that we found have addressed this. Any protocol for management of the patient sedated at end of life should include family support procedures.
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