Presenting Faculty
Paul L. DeSandre, DO FAAHPM
Session Overview
This session addresses palliative care emergencies and refractory symptoms that require timely recognition and decisive clinical management to reduce suffering and support patients and families experiencing serious and complex illness.
What Learners Will Gain
Learners will self‑report the ability to apply, analyze, and evaluate palliative care emergencies and refractory symptoms when making appropriate diagnostic and clinical decisions that have important consequences for patients and families.
Palliative Care Emergencies
• Acute airway obstruction
• Device loss or device malfunction
• Fractures
• Hemorrhage
• Hypercalcemia
• Increased intracranial pressure
• Seizures
• Spinal cord compression
• Superior vena cava syndrome
Management of Refractory Symptoms
• Indications for proportional sedation
• Medications and techniques used in proportional sedation
• Ethical and clinical considerations in refractory symptom management
Clinical Focus Areas
• Rapid assessment and prioritization in acute palliative scenarios
• Balancing symptom relief with patient goals of care
• Supporting patients and families during high‑risk clinical events