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Optimizing drug therapy in the surgical intensive care unit
William J Peppard1, Sarah R Peppard, Lewis Somberg
1Department of Pharmacy, Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
The Surgical Clinics of North America
|November 17, 2012
Summary
This review covers essential surgical intensive care unit (SICU) medications, including sedatives, antipsychotics, and antibiotics. It offers practical guidance for clinicians to optimize patient outcomes through informed drug selection.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Critical Care Medicine
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Management
Background:
- Surgical intensive care units (SICUs) frequently utilize a wide range of medications.
- Effective pharmacotherapy is crucial for managing critically ill surgical patients.
- Optimizing drug selection can significantly impact patient recovery and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review commonly prescribed medications in the SICU.
- To provide practical considerations for drug selection.
- To aid prescribers in optimizing patient outcomes through pharmacotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of commonly prescribed medications in SICU settings.
- Overview of the pharmacology of key drug classes.
- Discussion of practical considerations for therapeutic selection.
Main Results:
- Commonly prescribed drug classes include sedatives, antipsychotics, neuromuscular blocking agents, cardiovascular agents, anticoagulants, and antibiotics.
- Understanding drug pharmacology is essential for appropriate use.
- Practical guidance is provided to assist in selecting optimal therapies.
Conclusions:
- Informed medication selection in SICU is critical for patient care.
- This review aids clinicians in choosing appropriate pharmacotherapies.
- Optimizing drug regimens can lead to improved patient outcomes in the SICU.
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