Assessment of the efficacy of palliative sedation in advanced cancer patients by evaluating discomfort levels: a prospective, international, multicenter observational study.

Background: Palliative sedation involves the intentional proportional lowering of the level of consciousness in patients with life-limiting disease who are experiencing refractory suffering. The efficacy of palliative sedation needs to be monitored to ensure patient comfort. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy using discomfort levels combined with sedation/agitation levels.

Decision-making about palliative sedation for patients with cancer: a qualitative study in five European countries linked to the Palliative sedation project.

Background: Palliative sedation refers to the proportional use of titrated medication which reduces consciousness with the aim of relieving refractory suffering related to physical and psychological symptoms and/or existential distress near the end of life. Palliative sedation is intended to be an end of life option that enables healthcare professionals to provide good patient care but there remains controversy on how it is used. Little is known about decision-making processes regarding this procedure.

Baseline Study of Ultra-Clean Air Change Rate, Number, and Type of Microorganisms and Level of Particles During Trauma Surgery.

The objective of an operating room (OR) ultra-clean ventilation system is to eliminate or reduce the quantity of dust particles and colony-forming units per cubic meter of air (CFU/m). To achieve this, ultra-clean goal high air change rates per hour are required to reduce the particle load and number of CFU/m. To determine the air quality in an ultra-clean OR during surgery, in terms of the number and type of microorganism and quantity of dust particles in order to establish a benchmark.

Older adults exercising ON TIME: protocol for a randomized controlled cross-over study to assess the effect of physical activity timing on insomnia severity.

Background: There are increased indications that physical activity timing, irrespective of intensity, impacts insomnia and circadian clock function. Here, we describe the rationale and design of a randomized cross-over study, called ON TIME, to examine the effects of (changing) physical activity timing on insomnia severity and on multiple exploratory outcomes that are linked to circadian clock function.

Methods: We will conduct a randomized cross-over trial in 40 healthy older adults (aged 65 to 75 years) with subclinical or clinical insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scores of ≥ 10) from the Dutch municipality of Leiden and surroundings.

Report on palliative sedation medication usage: a survey of palliative care experts in Eight European countries.

Background: The practice of palliative sedation continues to raise ethical questions among people, which in turn leads to its varied acceptance and practice across regions. As part of the Palliative Sedation European Union (EU) project, the aim of the present study was to determine the perceptions of palliative care experts regarding the practice of palliative sedation in eight European countries (The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, UK, Italy, Spain, Hungary, and Romania).

Methods: A specifically designed survey, including questions on the most frequently used medications for palliative sedation, their availability per countries and settings, and the barriers and facilitators to the appropriate practice of palliative sedation was sent to expert clinicians involved and knowledgeable in palliative care in the indicated countries.