Sedation and delirium can derail even the strongest patient’s recovery in the ICU – but spontaneous awakening trials (SATs) can empower nurses to get ahead of this vicious cycle. In this candid episode, I pick the brain of Kali Dayton, an ICU nurse practitioner fervent about early mobility. Kali pulls back the curtain on SATs, a tragically misunderstood intervention that involves stopping sedatives each day to reconnect with the patient. With a mix of hard data and bedside wisdom, Kali reveals SATs as a game-changer for bettering outcomes like delirium, ventilator days, and the chance of discharge to home. You’ll hear practical tips on everything from managing agitated awakenings to recruiting family as awakening coaches. Whether you’re routinely pawing through SAT policies or clueless about this critical care practice, this lively dialogue will upend assumptions about sedation and empower you to maximize your impact.
Topics Discussed
- The purpose and importance of SATs in reducing sedation, delirium, and improving patient outcomes.
- The proper way to conduct SATs, which involves stopping sedation completely and assessing the patient’s ability to tolerate being awake and potentially wean off the ventilator.
- Contraindications for SATs, such as agitated delirium or high ventilator settings, where a more gradual approach to reducing sedation may be necessary.
- The role of the nurse in advocating for and properly conducting SATs, even if the ICU culture or team is not fully supportive of early mobility and awakening trials.
- The impact of SATs and early mobility on patient outcomes, such as decreased ventilator days, increased likelihood of discharge home, and preservation of cognitive and physical function.