Ventilation has been a life-saving tool for critically ill patients.([FOOTNOTE=Epstein SK. How often does patient-ventilator asynchrony occur and what are the consequences? Respir Care. 2011;56(1):25-38.],[ANCHOR=],[LINK=])  But ventilation can be an uncomfortable experience due to the invasiveness of the tubing, and mismatches (or “asynchronies”) between the patient’s demand for breath and the ventilator-delivered breathing pattern.1

In the past, clinicians addressed ventilator-patient asynchrony through heavy sedation.1  However, recent studies have highlighted the negative consequences of oversedation for ventilatory patients, which include muscle atrophy from prolonged disuse and lengthened ventilation times.1

By evaluating and correcting ventilator-patient asynchrony, sedation use may be minimized, improving patient comfort and well-being.

In this video, leading ICU clinicians discuss ventilator-patient asynchrony—what it is and how to detect and avoid asynchrony without turning to additional sedation.

By evaluating for asynchrony, clinicians may be able to reduce the risk of oversedation.1  By using sedation more effectively, we can work together to potentially reduce ICU ventilation time.


Improving Outcomes

We have a solution.

A key to avoiding unnecessary sedation and its clinical consequences is to understand the causes of agitation.