Background: Mechanically ventilated patients are often administered analgesic medications such as dexmedetomidine (DEX) and lorazepam (LZP) to reduce pain and anxiety. Studies have suggested that benzodiazepines may increase the risk of developing acute brain dysfunction, mechanical ventilation time, and length of stay (LOS) (Pandharipande PP, et al. JAMA 2007). Although Clinical Practice Guidelines recommend use [...]

Background: Hospitals are compelled by a variety of factors to optimize patient satisfaction. Pain management has been identified as an important determinant of overall inpatient satisfaction. However, effective pain management may be more challenging in the current climate of more cautious opioid use. Purpose: The 32-item Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) [...]