Assessment of Analgesics and Sedatives in Mechanically Ventilated Patients With COVID-19

The analgesic and sedation requirements in critically ill patients with COVID-19 have yet to be described. There are various factors that are likely affecting the agents being utilized for analgesia and sedation in these patients with little evidence to guide therapy. In addition, such non-evidence based practice may be leading to an increased incidence of iatrogenic withdrawal. The investigators seek to determine the analgesia and sedation requirements in critically ill patients with COVID-19 and report practice patterns that may be associated with iatrogenic withdrawal in these patients. The contribution of the proposed research will be an understanding of current analgesia and sedation use and weaning in critically ill patients with COVID-19, and practice patterns that may indicate the occurrence of iatrogenic withdrawal. This contribution will be significant because it will determine how analgesics and sedatives are being utilized in critically ill patients with COVID-19, and how their use may be leading to additional morbidity. Data from this initial trial will help support further research on the actual incidence of iatrogenic withdrawal in this patient population. Together such research will help inform practice patterns and therapy recommendations in advance of the next SARS-related outbreak.