Intensive Critical Care Nursing

Introduction Mechanical ventilation is the most used short-term life support technique worldwide and is commonly used in critical care settings for a diverse spectrum of indications, from scheduled surgical procedures to acute organ failure (Pham et al., 2017). [...] Changes in patients’ level of consciousness and orientation, agitation and sedation induced by the medications given for orientation contribute to extubation delays (Thille et al., 2013). [...] Aim The aim of this study was to explore: (i) critical care nurses’ expe- riences managing sedation in mechanically ventilated patients and, (ii) the factors that influence their sedation-related decision-making. [...] In collaboration with the ICU doctors (intensivists and registrars), a critical care nurse is responsible for weaning sedation and ventilation re- quirements simultaneously to achieve extubation within 24 h of admission from the operating room. [...] This awareness also extended to understanding the whole plan of care for a patient, and determining whether reducing sedation was still appro- priate. [...] Critical care nurses must be empowered to use their expert assessment skills and understanding of the patient’s unique circum- stances to guide their decisions in patient care (Zampieri et al., 2019). [...] Strengths and Limitations The primary strength of this research is that it addresses an over- looked area in relation to sedation management. [...] Rather, safe sedation decision making is underpinned by an awareness of the complex interplay between critical care nurses’ edu- cation and experience, staffing and skill-mix and competing priorities in the unit. [...] Interprofessional care and teamwork in the ICU. Crit. Care Med. 46 (6), 980–990. [...] Evolution of sedation management in the intensive care unit (ICU).