End-of-Life Delirium: Issues Regarding Recognition, Optimal Management, and the Role of Sedation in the Dying Phase

• Published in: Journal of pain and symptom management Vol. 48; no. 2; pp. 215 - 230
• Main Authors: Bush, Shirley H., Leonard, Maeve M., Agar, Meera, Spiller, Juliet A., Hosie, Annmarie, Wright, David Kenneth, Meagher, David J., Currow, David C., Bruera, Eduardo, Lawlor, Peter G.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.08.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Anesthesia; Biological and medical sciences; delirium; Delirium - diagnosis; Delirium - drug therapy; end of life; hospice; Humans; Hypnotics and Sedatives - therapeutic use; Medical sciences; Organic mental disorders. Neuropsychology; Pain Medicine; Palliative care; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; sedation; terminal; Terminal Care - methods; Terminology as Topic; Palliative care; end of life; terminal; hospice; sedation; delirium; Delirium; Clinical management; Palliative care unit; Sedation; Mental confusion; Organic mental disorder

In end-of-life care, delirium is often not recognized and poses unique management challenges, especially in the case of refractory delirium in the terminal phase. To review delirium in the terminal phase context, specifically in relation to recognition issues; the decision-making processes and manag...