Over-Sedation Versus Under-Sedation

Both over-sedation and under-sedation can lead to poor outcomes in patient care. Effective management of sedation is essential for improving poor sedation practices in the PICU. Because of the poor patient outcomes that can result from the ineffective management of sedation, the need for evidence-based guidelines is critical, not only to facilitate the best results for patients but also to provide nurses with a support tool they can use when making clinical decisions in the care of patients receiving sedation. The evidence suggests that the use of a nurse-driven guideline results in a significant reduction in time on mechanical ventilation, a significant decrease in the incidence of withdrawal symptoms, and a reduction in the length of stay