Is terminal sedation considered to be a form of euthanasia?
-
Terminal sedation is the practice of medically inducing a coma-like state for a terminally ill person who is experiencing unbearable pain, delirium, or nausea. This state of sedation often triggers complications such as dehydration that lead to death. Terminal sedation is sometimes practiced in a palliative care situation as a means to manage pain with no direct intent to hasten death. Some groups who oppose euthanasia also oppose the practice of terminal sedation. Other groups consider terminal sedation to fall under the Doctrine of Double Effect, which is not considered a form of euthanasia.
Terminal sedation is the practice of medically inducing a coma-like state for a terminally ill person who is experiencing unbearable pain, delirium, or nausea. This state of sedation often triggers complications such as dehydration that lead to... More -
Niamh van Meines answered:Terminal sedation involves the administration of only enough medication to alleviate the pain and distress experienced. The intent is not to bring about death but to alleviate the symptoms so I wouldn't consider it euthanasia. Alleviating symptoms includes sedating to the degree that the person is comatose. This activity is often approved by an ethics committee within healthcare organization and follows strict policies and procedures. In order to be considered a candidate for terminal sedation, the person must have severe symptoms associated with a disease that would be considered appropriate for terminal sedation and their treatment history would show that despite best efforts, their symptoms were not controlled well. Often, people are placed in a coma for a short period of time and brought out of the coma with the addition of treatments that will improve their experience of their symptoms.Terminal sedation involves the administration of only enough medication to alleviate the pain and distress experienced. The intent is not to bring about death but to alleviate the symptoms so I wouldn't consider it euthanasia. Alleviating... More
