Nonpharmacologic management of patient distress during mechanical ventilation

Abstract

Patients on mechanical ventilators experience distress related to the endotracheal tube, the critical care environment, and the critical illness. The strategies suggested here to limit distress--therapeutic relationship building and communication, cognitive-behavioral therapies, and contracted family visiting--all can be implemented by critical care providers. A growing research base documents the success of these interventions in intubated patients.