Palliative Sedation Therapy Practice Comparison – A Survey of Pediatric Palliative Care and Pain Management Specialists

Abstract

Context: Palliative sedation therapy (PST) can relieve suffering at end-of-life (EOL) in children with intolerable and refractory symptoms. However, updated and consistent guidance on PST practices are imperative. Objectives: We investigate current variations in clinical practice and PST implementation among pediatric palliative care (PPC) and pain management (PM) specialists. Methods: We distributed an IRB-exempt electronic anonymous survey via email through the Society of Pediatric Pain Medicine, and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Survey responses were collated and descriptively reported. Results: Of 83 survey responses, the majority (75%) represented large academic children’s hospitals. The distribution between PPC and pediatric pain management specialists’ responses was 60% and 40%, respectively. Most respondents reported having designated pain management and/or palliative care teams (70% and 90%, respectively). Approximately half (48%) reported following an institutional PST protocol, most not requiring formal ethics consult (69%). Only 54% of respondents noted that the Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order was required prior to PST initiation. PST was primarily utilized for children with oncologic diagnoses (76%). The primary and secondary medications of choice for PST implementation were reported to be opioids (39%) and benzodiazepines (36%) by pain management specialists, and benzodiazepines (52%) and barbiturates (28%) by palliative care specialists. Conclusions: Our study highlights the variability in the practice and implementation of PST. Further educational efforts are key for establishing PST practices and efficient protocol development.