A retrospective review for the use of palliative sedation in a regional hospital in Hong Kong

Palliative sedation is defined as monitored use of medication intended to induce a state of decreased or absent awareness to relieve intractable suffering in a manner that is ethically acceptable to the patient, family, and health-care providers. The prevalence of palliative sedation reported ranges from 10% to 50% during in end of life care setting. There was no major review performed on the prevalence and practice of palliative sedation in Hong Kong. Besides, published guidelines and medication recommendations are developed in Caucasian settings, which may not be taken into account the cultural aspect in Chinese. Therefore, we would like to review our practice in caring terminal cancer patients to report the prevalence and practice of palliative sedation and to review factors associated with successful sedation in this group of patients.