Informed Patient: Changing the Sedation Status Quo in the ICU
The article states that new treatment methods are being adopted to combat the length of time patients remain ventilated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). When patients are ventilated, they are almost always heavily sedated, and this has been shown to cause prolonged delirium “which can have a devastating and long lasting effect on cognitive function” (Landro, 2011). These new treatment methods are backed by the National Institutes of Health, the Veterans Health Administration, and John Hopkins University. New research has shown that “ at least some part of brain injury is preventable by lowering exposure to potent sedative medications and shortening the duration of delirium in the ICU with new monitoring and management techniques” (Landro, 2011). Another study shows that muscle weakness can be preventable if the patient gets up and moving while still on the ventilator. Critical care experts are holding conferences and reaching out to their colleagues in hopes of shedding light on new care techniques in the ICU. Hospitals have been aware for many years that prolonged ventilation was having negative effects on their patient’s well-being. Many institutions began adopting strategies to wean patients from heavy sedatives and to get them up walking.
In one account, a 51 year old musician was hospitalized in the ICU for pneumonia. The patient recalls having hallucinations while on sedation medication and had to be restrained multiple times. After being released from the hospital, the man claims to have difficulty singing and playing his music, and he reports having difficulty finding follow-up care from home.
I agree with the author. She arms her readers with irrefutable evidence that ventilation protocols need to be changed. First, health care professionals must become aware of this problem and the extent of consequences the patients suffer even after being released. Once there is a general awareness and understanding of the problem, solutions will start to be implemented.
Landro, L. (2011, February 15). Informed Patient: Changing the Sedation Status Quo in the ICU.
