TY - JOUR

T1 - Cultural changes in ICU sedation management

AU - Egerod, Ingrid

N1 - Keywords: Attitude of Health Personnel; Deep Sedation; Denmark; Female; Humans; Intensive Care Units; Interviews as Topic; Male; Nurse's Role; Physicians; Qualitative Research; Respiration, Artificial

PY - 2009

Y1 - 2009

N2 - The aim of this study was to explore physicians' views and perceptions of sedation, and offer a new approach to the understanding of issues of sedation. I used a qualitative, descriptive, and explorative multicenter design. Data were generated by seven key-informant interviews using a semistructured interview guide. One experienced doctor was selected at each of the seven largest intensive care units in Denmark. Interpretational analysis was performed by comprehensive overview, individual case analysis, cross-case analysis, and integrated thematic analysis and identification of emerging themes. The following themes emerged: a paradigm shift from sedated to more awake and comfortable patients, cultural changes toward intracollegial openness, increased interdisciplinary and staff/patient/family collaboration, patient and environmental normalization, and humanization. The study findings provide an understanding of contextual issues of sedation, safety, and comfort, and suggest that a cultural change in sedation strategies might reduce the duration of sedation and mechanical ventilation while containing cost and improving the well-being of the patients.

AB - The aim of this study was to explore physicians' views and perceptions of sedation, and offer a new approach to the understanding of issues of sedation. I used a qualitative, descriptive, and explorative multicenter design. Data were generated by seven key-informant interviews using a semistructured interview guide. One experienced doctor was selected at each of the seven largest intensive care units in Denmark. Interpretational analysis was performed by comprehensive overview, individual case analysis, cross-case analysis, and integrated thematic analysis and identification of emerging themes. The following themes emerged: a paradigm shift from sedated to more awake and comfortable patients, cultural changes toward intracollegial openness, increased interdisciplinary and staff/patient/family collaboration, patient and environmental normalization, and humanization. The study findings provide an understanding of contextual issues of sedation, safety, and comfort, and suggest that a cultural change in sedation strategies might reduce the duration of sedation and mechanical ventilation while containing cost and improving the well-being of the patients.

U2 - 10.1177/1049732309334014

DO - 10.1177/1049732309334014

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 19380504

VL - 19

SP - 687

EP - 696

JO - Qualitative Health Research

JF - Qualitative Health Research

SN - 1049-7323

IS - 5

ER -