Oscillators & sedation

[cannew304]

What is your unit's standard for sedation when a patient is on a HFOV?

I have always learned that it's important to keep patients very sedated & definitely not breathing over the vent, so as to prevent them from popping a pneumo, to help optimize the oxygenation from the vent, and to keep them comfortable because of the high pressures & rates.

My patient today was a teenager who was continuously breathing over the vent, RR 20-30/minute, moving his hands and feet etc. I increased sedation per protocol throughout the day, but the docs weren't overly concerned, and kept just saying he "looked comfortable." All well and good until he sat bolt upright in bed and started coughing!

What guidelines do you follow with oscillators?

[rstrainRN]

We also use a paralytic drip in conjunction with typically a fentanyl infusion for sedation, occasionally versed and bolus doses prn for our oscillated patients.

[Smiler3]

Hey all

Patients who are oscillated in our unit are usualy on Rocuronium to keep them still....although I do think our unit is looking at using Roc a little less and will probaby go for the old morphine and midaz option.

x