Rocuronium increases the risk of awareness with paralysis in mechanically ventilated ED patients: the need for multidisciplinary educational efforts

Commentary on: Fuller BM, Pappal RD, Mohr NM, et al. Awareness with paralysis among critically ill emergency department patients: a prospective cohort study. Crit Care Med. 2022 Oct 1;50(10):1449–1460. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000005626. Epub 2022 Jul 21. Implications for practice and research Patients on mechanical ventilation in the emergency department have a higher risk of awareness with paralysis if exposed to the neuromuscular blockade agent rocuronium. High-risk patients should be closely monitored to quickly identify and address potential psychological sequelae. Research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of multidisciplinary educational initiatives when neuromuscular blockers are required. Context Awareness with paralysis (AWP) refers to a condition in which, during surgery or mechanical ventilation, a sedated patient is paradoxically aware and unable to move or communicate due to inadequate sedation technique combined with the use of a neuromuscular blocking agent (NMBA). This troubling phenomenon can lead to...
Source: Evidence-Based Nursing - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Adult nursing Commentary Source Type: research