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Supportive Care in Cancer

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01-10-2014 | Original Article

The EAPC framework on palliative sedation and clinical practice—a questionnaire-based survey in Germany

Authors: Philipp R. Klosa, Carsten Klein, Maria Heckel, Alexandra C. Bronnhuber, Christoph Ostgathe, Stephanie Stiel

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 10/2014

Abstract

Background

Palliative sedation (PS) can be offered to patients with intolerable symptom burden refractory to comprehensive palliative care (PC) treatment. Little is known about the daily practice of using PS in German specialized PC institutions in the context of existing national and international recommendations.

Purpose

This study’s primary objective is to explore how PS is used in German specialized PC institutions with reference to the EAPC framework.

Methods

The heads of all palliative care units, hospices, specialized palliative home care teams, and specialized pediatric palliative home care teams listed in the official address registers were invited to take part in a questionnaire survey about the clinical practice of PS in their institution.

Results

Considerable differences of the frequency of PS exist between institutions. The estimated frequency of PS ranges from 0 to 80 % of all patients treated per year (mean 6.7 %). Some PC specialists report to discuss PS as treatment option for every patient they encounter. Specific evaluation and documentation tools are rare. Of the study participants, 36.2 % are not familiar with international and national recommendations.

Conclusion

Many differences exist in frequency and clinical handling of PS in Germany. Implementation of international and national recommendations into clinical practice remains inconsistent.

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Title: The EAPC framework on palliative sedation and clinical practice—a questionnaire-based survey in Germany
Authors: Philipp R. Klosa
Carsten Klein
Maria Heckel
Alexandra C. Bronnhuber
Christoph Ostgathe
Stephanie Stiel
Publication date: 01-10-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 10/2014
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2192-5

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Abstract

Background

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