title: Top 10 myths regarding sedation and delirium in the ICU.
abstract: The management of pain, agitation, and delirium in critically ill patients can be complicated by multiple factors. Decisions to administer opioids, sedatives, and antipsychotic medications are frequently driven by a desire to facilitate patients' comfort and their tolerance of invasive procedures or other interventions within the ICU. Despite accumulating evidence supporting new strategies to optimize pain, sedation, and delirium practices in the ICU, many critical care practitioners continue to embrace false perceptions regarding appropriate management in these critically ill patients. This article explores these perceptions in more detail and offers new evidence-based strategies to help critical care practitioners better manage sedation and delirium, particularly in ICU patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical and Nutrition Care, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-1090, USA. gpeitz@nebraskamed.com
authors.forename: Gregory J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Peitz
authors.forename: Michele C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Balas
authors.forename: Keith M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: Brenda T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Pun
authors.forename: E Wesley
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Ely
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D016638:Critical Illness; D054810:Deep Sedation / Q000379:methods; D003693:Delirium; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D059408:Pain Management; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives