Delirium and sedation

Crit Care Clin. 2004 Jul;20(3):419-33, ix. doi: 10.1016/j.ccc.2004.03.011.

Abstract

Critically ill patients nearing the end of life frequently present with needs for aggressive sedation and analgesia. Optimizing patient comfort while permitting effective communication are challenging goals in this patient population. This article discusses delirium and sedation as it applies to dying patients, and provides recommendations for effective management strategies to optimize the experience of such patients at the end of life.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Analgesia / methods
  • Analgesia / standards
  • Anxiety / etiology
  • Anxiety / prevention & control
  • Clinical Protocols
  • Communication
  • Conscious Sedation / methods*
  • Conscious Sedation / psychology
  • Conscious Sedation / standards
  • Critical Care / methods*
  • Critical Care / psychology
  • Critical Care / standards
  • Decision Trees
  • Delirium / diagnosis
  • Delirium / etiology
  • Delirium / psychology
  • Delirium / therapy*
  • Drug Monitoring / methods
  • Drug Monitoring / standards
  • Goals
  • Humans
  • Organizational Innovation
  • Patient Care Planning / organization & administration
  • Quality Assurance, Health Care / organization & administration
  • Terminal Care / methods*
  • Terminal Care / psychology
  • Terminal Care / standards