Evaluation of Adherence to Pediatric Sedation Taper Protocol in General Pediatric Units

Document Type

Conference Proceeding - Restricted Access

Publication Date

5-8-2026

Abstract

Prolonged sedation in the intensive care unit is common for patients that are either initiated on a ventilator, in extreme pain, or following a surgical procedure. Prolonged exposure to opioids and benzodiazepines increases the risk of iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome when discontinuation of sedation regimens happens abruptly. A sedation taper is commonly recommended to reduce the risk of iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome. Previous studies have shown that sedation taper protocols improve outcomes related to withdrawal and expedite discontinuation. In some cases, failing to taper a patient's regimen may lengthen their hospital stay or extend duration of the sedation taper after discharge. Although sedation taper protocols may be built into an institution's policy, adherence may still be a concern.

This retrospective review at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital will take place from 01/01/2022-12/31/2024. Patients will be identified by medication orders during inpatient encounters and then retrospectively reviewed for inclusion and exclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria include: less than 18 years of age, transfer out of the intensive care unit for greater than 24 hours, primary or admitting service line of the pediatric hospitalist service, active order for pediatric withdrawal assessment tools, and initiated on institutional sedation taper protocol with either intravenous or enteral lorazepam, methadone, or morphine. Exclusion criteria include: pediatric patients with continuous sedation infusions, primary or admitting service line of pediatric cardiology services, or transfer back into the intensive care unit for greater than 24 hours. There is an estimated number of 200 patients to be evaluated.

This project is currently under data collection and will undergo data analysis. Results and conclusion of this project will be summarized and presented upon completion.

Comments

2026 Research Day Corewell Health West, Grand Rapids, MI, May 8, 2026. Abstract 2050

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