Unplanned Extubations and Reintubation in the Pediatric Icu

Decreasing unplanned extubations: Utilization of the Penn State Children’s Hospital Sedation Algorithm

“…Figure 2 demonstrates that our pre-PSCHSA extubation rates were comparable to published rates, and our post-PSCHSA extubation rates were superior to or equal to all published rates (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8).…”

“…The hypothesized primary mechanism for this decrease was increased diligence to the details of patient care. In the following 5 yrs, that level reached a stable but unacceptable plateau (0.44 to 0.63 per 100 intubated patient days), which was superior to or equal with published data (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). However, the decision was made that improvements in patient management were necessary to further decrease the unplanned extubation rate because the critical care team considered even a single unplanned extubation as unacceptable due to the potentially dangerous results.…”