What is Palliset?
"Palliset" does not appear to be a recognized medical term, intervention, or concept in palliative care based on current clinical guidelines and medical literature. You may be referring to "palliative sedation" (formerly called "terminal sedation"), which is a specific intervention used in end-of-life care, or possibly another palliative care term.
If You Mean "Palliative Sedation"
Palliative sedation is the intentional use of sedating medications to relieve otherwise intractable suffering in patients who are close to death. 1
Definition and Purpose
- Palliative sedation specifically addresses refractory symptoms including intractable pain, dyspnea, delirium, cough, or existential distress that have not responded to traditional palliative care interventions 1
- The intent is symptom relief through sedation, not hastening death—this distinguishes it ethically and legally from euthanasia or assisted suicide 1
- Benzodiazepines or barbiturates are the medications typically used 1
When to Consider Palliative Sedation
- Only after confirming the patient is truly refractory to all appropriate traditional palliative care measures 1
- The patient must be close to death (typically days to weeks) 1
- Requires palliative care specialist consultation to verify that all standard interventions have been exhausted 1
Clinical Implementation
- Medication doses are titrated to the patient's comfort level—some patients achieve relief with mild sedation while others require deep sedation 1
- Full informed consent must be obtained from the patient or surrogate, with family understanding of the intervention 1
- Mental health consultation should be considered to rule out treatable depression or other emotional disorders as the root cause of suffering 1
Critical Distinction
- Palliative sedation differs from standard palliative care, which is a comprehensive approach to symptom management and psychosocial support that begins at diagnosis and continues throughout illness 1, 2
If You Mean General "Palliative Care"
Palliative care is patient- and family-centered care that optimizes quality of life by preventing and treating suffering through management of physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs. 1
- It can be delivered concurrently with curative or life-prolonging treatments at any stage of serious illness 1, 2
- Essential components include symptom management, illness understanding, goal clarification, coping support, and care coordination 1
Please clarify the specific term you're asking about for more targeted guidance.