Long-term psychological effects of a no-sedation protocol in critically ill patients.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

A protocol of no sedation has been shown to reduce the time patients receive mechanical ventilation and to reduce intensive care and total hospital length of stay. The long-term psychological effects of this strategy have not yet been described. The purpose of the study was to test whether a strategy of no sedation alters long-term psychological outcome compared with a standard strategy with sedation.

Methods

During intensive care stay, 140 patients requiring mechanical ventilation were randomized to either no sedation or sedation with daily interruption of sedation. This study was done as a single-blinded cohort study. After discharge, patients were interviewed by a neuropsychologist assessing quality of life, depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disor

SUBMITTER: Strom T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3388632 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature