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In the autumn of 2004, the Norwegian Board of Health carried out a questionnaire survey of sedation and pain relief for terminally ill patients in hospitals. The most important findings were:
- The health trusts do not distinguish clearly between sedation and pain relief for terminally ill patients, and pain relief in the fi nal stages of life that can have a sedative effect.
- Sedation and pain relief for terminally ill patients are seldom used in Norwegian hospitals.
- Hospital departments pay much attention to the medical indications for providing sedation and pain relief. However, few departments are aware of the fact that the patient shall normally give consent for treatment.
- Many hospital departments do not clearly state who is responsible for the treatment.
- There is confusion about who shall record the treatment in the patient record, and how often this shall be done.
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