Rethinking Guidelines for the Use of Palliative Sedation

Current guidelines on palliative sedation to unconsciousness restrict its use in ways that are extraordinary in medicine. A closer look at the kinds of cases in which PSU is used suggests changes.

Current guidelines treat palliative sedation to unconsciousness as an effective medical treatment for terminally ill patients who need relief from severe symptoms, yet also restrict its use in ways that are extraordinary for medical treatments. A closer look at the kinds of cases in which palliative sedation is used suggests a way of adjusting the guidelines to resolve this seeming contradiction.