“How quickly does palliative anesthesia work?”
My dad is 80 years old and in hospice right now after having congestive heart failure for years. His hospice team is talking about using anesthesia to limit his suffering. How long does this usually take to work?
2 Answers
It is mainly to assist in care of the terminal patient. It would take days to titrate meds to their appropriate amounts.
A great question what the Hospice treatment team is addressing is palliative care which may involve besides great medical and nursing care includes typically use of sedative and often pain medication and other medications that will make the patient experience less pain, less anxiety, less shortness of breath and allow for a better quality of life and time as they begin their transition. I am sorry for your family and your father but glad you are comfortable working with a medical team that will allow us to help your father to be as comfortable as possible. Depending on the dosage and medications used the effect should take effect slowly but immediately.
Marc A Morales MD
Marc A Morales MD
