Thread by @GasBugZa

Last for this session is Prof Sean Chetty @seanC001 speaking on 'To Sedate or Not to Sedate'. Is this a ?that is the question? scenario...
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Sedation is the reduction of irritability or agitation by administration of sedative drugs, generally to facilitate a medical procedure or diagnostic procedure. In modern ICU practice, the modern concept is analgosedation, but this needs to be teased apart a little.
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The typical modern ICU patient is older, sicker and more complex than ever before. Pain is generally a root cause of distress for many patients, but there can be others - dyspnea, delirium and sleep deprivation.
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Some patients may have underlying painful conditions (e.g. osteoarthritis) or are subjected to painful procedures (e.g. tracheal tube suctioning).
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Modern critical care practice has most ICU ventilated patients receiving at least one sedative per day.
doi.org/10.1186/s13613…
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How do we assess depth of sedation?
Sedation Scales are generally used, including the commonly used Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale and Ramsay Sedation Scale.
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Another important concept is protocolised sedation - where algorithms exist by which nurses adjust sedatives based on written guidelines and patient assessment. These have been shown to reduce ventilator days and ICU length of stay.
doi.org/0.1097/0000324…
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