Trajectory of sedation assessment and sedative use in intubated and ventilated patients in intensive care: A clinical audit

Abstract

Background Sedation is crucial for the recovery of patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Maintaining comfort and safety promotes optimal care for critically ill patients. Purpose To examine sedation assessment and management undertaken by health professionals for mechanically ventilated patients in one Australian ICU. Methods A retrospective clinical audit was undertaken of medical records of all eligible, mechanically ventilated patients admitted to an ICU of an Australian metropolitan, teaching hospital over a 12-month period. A Sedation Audit Tool was used to collect data from the day of intubation to 5 days after intubation. Findings Data were extracted from medical records of 150 pat..