Document Type
Article
Original Publication Date
2008
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Critical Care
Volume
2008
DOI of Original Publication
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
Comments
Originally published at http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/cc6147