Table 2. Documented indications for the use of sedatives with continuous effect *1.
| Indication (multiple indications possible; documented in any part of the medical records, including the daily nursing records) | n = 260 (%) |
| Agitation/restlessness | 143 (55) |
| Anxiety | 106 (41) |
| Pain | 49 (19) |
| Dyspnea | 28 (11) |
| Sleep disorders | 4 (2) |
| Delirium/hallucinations | 4 (2) |
| Other | 22 (8)*2 |
| No indication documented | 76 (29) |
*1 Due to the study´s methodology, no further differentiation was possible regarding the treatment team’s intention when using the sedatives or the sedatives’ actual sedating effect in the individual situations.
*2 Nausea/vomiting n = 6, epileptic seizures n = 3, patient’s wish n = 2, malaise/no adequate symptom control n = 3, aggressiveness n = 1, groaning n = 2, cough n = 1, palliative situation n = 1, sedation n = 1, emergency situation n = 1, not adequately responsive n = 1.