Feasibility of Protocolised Analgosedation in ECMO

Sedation (painkillers and sedative drugs) treats pain, reduces suffering, and helps patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remain comfortable. ECMO is a life support machine that provides oxygen and removes waste gases (carbon dioxide) in very sick patients with severe heart or lung failure. About 300-400 patients per year receive ECMO in the UK. These patients are younger and generally more healthy compared to other critically ill patients. However patients that survive ECMO have long-term health problems. These include anxiety, memory problems, withdrawal from medicines, and mobility issues. These problems issues could all be related to the type and amount of sedation given.

A sedation protocol is a way of guiding healthcare professionals how much sedation is given to patients in ICU. Too much sedation can cause confusion, hallucinations, excessive sleepiness, and longer time in hospital. Too little sedation can cause pain, distress, and also a longer time in hospital. Using a sedation protocol in non-ECMO patients has been shown to reduce these complications.

However, there are no protocols for giving sedation to ECMO patients in research papers. Investigators know healthcare staff find it difficult to manage sedation, and higher amounts of sedation is given to ECMO patients.

Aims:

To see whether it is possible to run a trial that compares using a sedation protocol against usual care.

Design/methods:

Thirty to 60 ECMO patients will be chosen and will be put into one of two groups. One group will receive usual care, and the other will receive care using the sedation protocol. The investigators will collect information from both groups to find out if the study design works and how many patients agree to take part.

Patient and public involvement/engagement:

The investigators received feedback from patients and family member participants which helped to design this proposal, the lay summary and what to measure in a trial. They will advise how the investigators should review study findings, and support sharing of results to the public.

Impact/dissemination:

The investigators will share findings through social media, patient charities, research papers and conferences.