The continuous infusion of sedative agents is often necessary for critically ill patients. However, it has been associated with several disadvantages. Numerous interventions to reduce these risks have been evaluated, including the practice of interrupting sedative infusions on a daily basis. A literature search was conducted, and 7 studies were reviewed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of daily interruption of sedative infusions and its outcomes. The implementation of daily sedation interruptions was suggested to minimize multiple complications associated with continuous sedative infusions and was not associated with intensive care–related complications or long-term psychological effects. Additional studies have revealed perceived barriers to the implementation of daily sedation interruptions. Further randomized controlled trials enrolling larger, more diverse samples are needed to provide more evidence regarding the safety and effectiveness of this intervention.
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1 February 2012
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February 01 2012
Daily Interruptions of Sedation: A Clinical Approach to Improve Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients
Elizabeth Berry, MSN, ACNP-BC;
When this article was written, Elizabeth Berry was a staff nurse in the medical ICU at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She is currently an acute care nurse practitioner and lives in San Antonio, Texas.
Corresponding author: Elizabeth Berry (e-mail: [email protected]) or Heather Zecca, Department of Surgery, Pennsylvania Hospital, Pine Bldg, 800 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (e-mail: [email protected]).
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Heather Zecca, MSN, ACNP-BC
Heather Zecca, MSN, ACNP-BC
Heather Zecca is an acute care nurse practitioner in the Department of Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania Health System in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Crit Care Nurse (2012) 32 (1): 43–51.
Citation
Elizabeth Berry, Heather Zecca; Daily Interruptions of Sedation: A Clinical Approach to Improve Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients. Crit Care Nurse 1 February 2012; 32 (1): 43–51. doi: https://doi.org/10.4037/ccn2012599
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