Korean J Anesthesiol.
2009 Mar;56(3):295-302. 10.4097/kjae.2009.56.3.295.
Clinical survey of sedation and analgesia procedures in intensive care units
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul, Korea. hsyang@amc.seoul.kr
- 2Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Seoul, Korea.
- KMID: 2238126
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2009.56.3.295
Abstract
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BACKGROUND: The proper use of sedation and analgesia in the intensive care unit (ICU) minimizes its physical and psychological impact. Otherwise, patients can suffer from recall, nightmares, and depression after discharge. We investigated the sedatives, analgesics, and muscle relaxants used in the ICU.
METHODS
We visited 79 ICUs in 52 training hospitals and noted the use of sedatives, analgesics, and muscle relaxants from July, 2007, to December, 2007, using a 5-item questionnaire with 57 sub-questions. The survey evaluated the ICU system administration of analgesics and muscle relaxants.
RESULTS
Most ICU management is done by the anesthesiology department (55%). Most have resident doctors (63.3%) and an ICU committee (60.8%) in charge of the ICU, as well as a special ICU chart (88.6%) and scoring system (65.8%). Most hospitals have a consulting system (94.9%). The standard ICU analgesics are fentanyl (65.8%), NSAIDs (53.2%), and morphine (48.1%).
CONCLUSIONS
Adequate sedation is difficult to achieve in the ICU, but is important for patient comfort and to reduce ICU stay duration. Awareness of patient status and appropriate drug/protocol use are therefore important.
