Delirium in Mechanically Ventilated Patients

An Assessment of Delirium in Mechanically Ventilated Patients Undergoing Daily Awakening From Sedation

The overall purpose of this trial is to assess the relationship between a daily awakening from sedation and the prevalence of delirium, and in doing so better characterize delirium in the ICU.

This is a single center, observational, cross-over design study assessing the impact of daily awakening from sedation on delirium in the ICU. Enrolled patients will receive a daily baseline delirium assessment using the CAM-ICU tool before the awakening from sedation and an assessment during the awakening from sedation. Each patient will thus serve as their own controls for these interventions.

Inclusion Criteria:

• > 18 years old
• intubated and mechanically ventilated
• receiving sedative and/or analgesic medication
• candidate for daily awakening from sedative and/or analgesic medication

Exclusion Criteria:

• primary neurologic disease (stroke, seizure, elevated ICP)
• post cardiac arrest
• do not speak English (assessment only English language validated)