When the health of a person reaches the point where he needs to put on ventilator, it is sometimes associated with sedation to make him feel comfortable. It is crucial to maintain an adequate level of sedation to make the recovery journey of the patient painless and fast.
Mechanical ventilation is quite uncomfortable and emotionally disturbing for the patient in the long run. Sedation in such cases can ease the level of anxiety and discomfort and can relieve the pain of being dependent on ventilation. However, how long a patient can be sedated on ventilator is a common question that arises in mind especially when patient is under critical care.
In this article we will explore all of the factors that can potentially influence the sedation duration for ventilated patients as well as the factors that professionals take into account while considering the sedation management in ventilated patients.
Severity of Condition And Sedation Time Period
The decision to stop sedation for ventilated patients primarily depends on the severity of the condition of the patients. Someone who undergoes some major surgery needs a little amount of sedation and also put on ventilator for few hours. Once his post recovery period is completed, he is removed from the ventilator as well as his sedated medicine is stopped.
But the scenario for patients going through respiratory failure or in coma is reversed. Such patients are dependent on ventilators for several months to years and need regular sedation for extended time to ease the discomfort and pain associated with ventilators.
- Also Checkout: How Long A Patient Can Stay on Ventilator At Home
Response of the Ventilator Patient Determines Sedation Time
Every patient is unique and thus shows different while in some cases unexpected response when sedated. There is a tendency of extreme metabolic reaction in some patients when exposed to sedation. In such conditions there is an urgent need to manage the level of medicine to minimize the risk of any potential loss.
The patients are also prone to disturb psychologically, if exposed to these medicines for long time. PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and delirium are the possible outcomes of long-term sedation in ventilated patients which force medical staff to reconsider the decision of sedation or limit the sedation duration.
Weaning Process And Sedation Time of Ventilated Patient
Healthcare professionals may opt to stop sedative medication completely or gradually when the patient is fit enough to breathe without the intervention of machines. Medical staff, after assessing the progress of the patient, can decide to wean him off or reduce the level of ventilation. This decision directly impacts the level of sedation provided to the patient. In some cases, sedation continues for many days even after ventilation is stopped.
The patient, sometimes, reacts agitated after weaning off and needs sedation to calm down and get stable mentally. This process involves the intervention of relatives and psychologists to take the patient back to normal life.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the ultimate goal of sedation is to minimize uneasiness and pain which is commonly seen in ventilator dependent patients. The decision about how long to put someone on ventilator and sedation is totally dependent on the severity of the condition of the patient, and his recovery process.
The professionals assess the progress and response of the patient to adjust the level of sedative medication as per need and balance between the comfort and need for awakening of the patient followed by the recovery.
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