Document Type

Article

Original Publication Date

2008

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Critical Care

Volume

2008

DOI of Original Publication

10.1186/cc6147

Comments

Originally published at http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/cc6147

Date of Submission

September 2014

Abstract

Analgesic and sedative medications are widely used in intensive care units to achieve patient comfort and tolerance of the intensive care unit environment, and to eliminate pain, anxiety, delirium and other forms of distress. Surveys and prospective cohort studies have revealed wide variability in medication selection, monitoring using sedation scales, and implementation of structured treatment algorithms among practitioners in different countries and regions of the world. Successful management of analgesia and sedation incorporates a patient-based approach that includes detection and management of predisposing and causative factors, including delirium; monitoring using analgesia and sedation scales and other instruments; proper medication selection, with an emphasis on analgesia-based drugs; and incorporation of structured strategies that have been demonstrated to reduce likelihood of excessive or prolonged sedation.

Rights

© 2008 BioMed Central Ltd

Is Part Of

VCU Internal Medicine Publications

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