Banerjee A, Girard TD, Pandharipande P. The Complex Interplay Between Delirium, Sedation, and Early Mobility During Critical Illness: Applications in the Trauma Unit. Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology. 2011 April; 24(2). 195-201.
PMID: 21386669 [PubMed]
Abstract: PMID: 21386669 [PubMed]
Critically ill patients are prescribed sedatives and analgesics to decrease pain and anxiety, improve patient-ventilator dyssynchrony and ensure patient safety. These medications may themselves lead to delirium and ICU-acquired weakness, which are associated with worse clinical outcomes. This review will focus on the epidemiology of these two disease processes and discuss strategies aimed at reducing these devastating complications of critical illness.