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Intensive care sedation of mechanically ventilated patients: a national Swedish survey

Samuelson, Karin LU ; Larsson, Sylvia LU ; Lundberg, Dag LU and Fridlund, Bengt LU (2003) In Intensive and Critical Care Nursing 19(6). p.350-362
Abstract
Sedation in critically ill patients is a complex issue and at the same time an important concept for ensuring patient comfort. The aim of this study was to review the current practice of sedation for patients on mechanical ventilation in Swedish intensive care units (ICUs). Questionnaires were sent by post to head nurses in 89 ICUs with mechanically ventilated patients. By August 2000, 87 (98%) questionnaires had been returned. The results show that mechanically ventilated patients were routinely sedated in 91% of ICUs. Midazolam or propofol in combination with an opioid were the drugs preferred by 76%. Heavy sedation was most usual in 63% of ICUs but, when asked about the sedation level preferred by nurses, 78% chose light sedation... (More)
Sedation in critically ill patients is a complex issue and at the same time an important concept for ensuring patient comfort. The aim of this study was to review the current practice of sedation for patients on mechanical ventilation in Swedish intensive care units (ICUs). Questionnaires were sent by post to head nurses in 89 ICUs with mechanically ventilated patients. By August 2000, 87 (98%) questionnaires had been returned. The results show that mechanically ventilated patients were routinely sedated in 91% of ICUs. Midazolam or propofol in combination with an opioid were the drugs preferred by 76%. Heavy sedation was most usual in 63% of ICUs but, when asked about the sedation level preferred by nurses, 78% chose light sedation (P=0.001). Only 16% used sedation scales. This study indicates that local habits and personal attitudes seem to have a great impact on sedation routines. It therefore appears worthwhile for ICUs to review their practice and, if necessary, to consider implementing sedation scales and sedation guidelines. Research pertaining to potential complications and patient comfort in relation to different sedation levels as well as further validation of the efficacy of sedation scales is needed. (Less)
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author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Intensive and Critical Care Nursing
volume
19
issue
6
pages
350 - 362
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • pmid:14637295
  • scopus:0346269182
ISSN
1532-4036
DOI
10.1016/S0964-3397(03)00065-X
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015. The record was previously connected to the following departments: Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (013230022), Division of Nursing (Closed 2012) (013065000)
id
288cee6f-ee5b-4572-98bd-2e3dca783a5f (old id 1126447)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 12:33:22
date last changed
2022-02-19 00:05:52
@article{288cee6f-ee5b-4572-98bd-2e3dca783a5f,
  abstract     = {{Sedation in critically ill patients is a complex issue and at the same time an important concept for ensuring patient comfort. The aim of this study was to review the current practice of sedation for patients on mechanical ventilation in Swedish intensive care units (ICUs). Questionnaires were sent by post to head nurses in 89 ICUs with mechanically ventilated patients. By August 2000, 87 (98%) questionnaires had been returned. The results show that mechanically ventilated patients were routinely sedated in 91% of ICUs. Midazolam or propofol in combination with an opioid were the drugs preferred by 76%. Heavy sedation was most usual in 63% of ICUs but, when asked about the sedation level preferred by nurses, 78% chose light sedation (P=0.001). Only 16% used sedation scales. This study indicates that local habits and personal attitudes seem to have a great impact on sedation routines. It therefore appears worthwhile for ICUs to review their practice and, if necessary, to consider implementing sedation scales and sedation guidelines. Research pertaining to potential complications and patient comfort in relation to different sedation levels as well as further validation of the efficacy of sedation scales is needed.}},
  author       = {{Samuelson, Karin and Larsson, Sylvia and Lundberg, Dag and Fridlund, Bengt}},
  issn         = {{1532-4036}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{6}},
  pages        = {{350--362}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Intensive and Critical Care Nursing}},
  title        = {{Intensive care sedation of mechanically ventilated patients: a national Swedish survey}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0964-3397(03)00065-X}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/S0964-3397(03)00065-X}},
  volume       = {{19}},
  year         = {{2003}},
}