What type of study is this?

This is a Cross-Sectional Study study.

September 27, 2025Open Access

Current practices of analgosedation in Korean pediatric intensive care units: a nationwide survey

Key Points

Half of the pediatric intensive care units reported using standardized analgosedation protocols, highlighting variation across practices.
The most common first-line agents were sufentanil and dexmedetomidine, prescribed with starting doses varying significantly among units.
Daily pain and sedation assessments were conducted in nearly all participating units, demonstrating commitment to effective patient care.
Validated sedation scales like the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale were widely adopted, indicating a push for consistent monitoring practices.

Abstract

Background Effective pain control and sedation are essential components of pediatric intensive care. Proper analgosedation alleviates discomfort and reduces the risks of under- or over-sedation, withdrawal, and delirium. However, the current state of analgosedation practices in Korean pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) has not been well documented. Methods In May 2025, a cross-sectional survey was conducted targeting pediatric intensivists working in Korean PICUs. The survey, distributed by both paper and email, included questions regarding sedation protocols, drug selection, dosing practices, and monitoring tools. Responses were collected from unit-level representatives and analyzed descriptively. Results Eighteen PICUs participated in the survey. Half of the units (50%) reported the use of standardized analgosedation protocols, while the other half followed usual care practices. The most frequently used first-line agents were sufentanil (50%) and dexmedetomidine (33.3%). Starting doses for these medications varied among units, ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 μg/kg/hr. Most units reported conducting daily pain and sedation assessments (94.4% and 88.9%, respectively), typically performed multiple times per day by bedside nurses. The Numerical Rating Scale (83.3%) and the Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability scale (77.8%) were the most common tools for pain assessment. Sixteen units utilized validated sedation scales, with the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale being the most widely adopted. Conclusion This study provides the first national overview of analgosedation practices in Korean PICUs. Substantial variation exists in drug selection, dosing, and assessment strategies. These findings highlight the need for standardized, evidence-based guidelines to ensure consistent and effective sedation management in pediatric critical care settings. Key Words: Analgesia; Sedation; Critical care; Intensive care unit; Pediatric; Monitoring

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Cite This Study

Lee et al. (Thu,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/68d7be66eebfec0fc5237bd6 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.32990/apcc.2025.00038

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