Is a Daily Sedation Protocol Enough to Reduce Length of Stay?

31 Oct

Posted by SCCM as Concise Critical Appraisal

Strategies to reduce excessive sedation, including protocol implementation, have been shown to reduce length of stay and improve morbidity and mortality rates for critically ill patients. While intuitively appealing, the results of some clinical trials in this area have been inconsistent. In the October issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association, investigators from [...]

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Dexmedetomidine in Patients Requiring Mechanical Ventilation

02 May

Posted by SCCM as Concise Critical Appraisal

Sedation in intensive care unit (ICU) patients is assumed to facilitate proper care with improved patient comfort and safety, though long-term use is fraught with potential serious adverse effects. The use of dexmedetomidine, a sedative with alpha-2 agonist properties, may enhance patient safety and comfort in long-term sedation, but evidence has been limited and inconclusive. [...]