Antipsychotic Drug Use and Screening for Delirium in Mechanically Ventilated Patients in Canadian Intensive Care Units: An Observational Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Critically ill patients frequently experience delirium, and antipsychotic drugs are often used to manage symptoms.

Objectives

To describe the use of antipsychotic drugs and delirium screening tools in mechanically ventilated, critically ill adult patients in Canadian intensive care units (ICUs) and to identify factors associated with the use of antipsychotic drugs.

Methods

Pharmacists from 51 Canadian ICUs prospectively collected data on antipsychotic use and delirium screening in all patients for whom invasive mechanical ventilation was initiated during a chosen 2-week period occurring sometime in 2008 or 2009.

Results

Data were collected for a total of 712 patients, of whom 115 (16.2%) received at least one dose of an antipsychotic. The antipsychot

SUBMITTER: Thiboutot Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4853177 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar-Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature