title: ABCDEs of ICU: Awakening.
abstract: Critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) who require mechanical ventilation often require continuous sedation infusions. These 2 interventions are associated with adverse outcomes such as increased duration of mechanical ventilation, increased length of stay in both the ICU and the hospital, and significant physiological and psychological complications. Daily sedation interruption (DSI) can reduce these adverse effects thereby improving long-term outcomes after critical illness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DSI is safe, practical, cost-effective, and results in positive outcomes for patients; however, there are barriers to implementing and incorporating DSI into daily practice. Further research is required to provide additional evidence and promote more widespread utilization.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78701, USA. shanecc@utexas.edu
authors.forename: Shane C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Concepcion
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care; D064648:Critical Care Nursing; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007902:Length of Stay; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives