Use of Opioids in the ICU and After

A review of the literature

The lecture duration is 38min.

0.75 CPD Points, 0.75 CEUs, 0.75 CME credits approval pending.
Accredited by CPDUK, CBRN and Provider Pending.

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Hannah Wunsch
Professor of Anaesthesia at the University of Toronto, Canada
Lecture Summary

The treatment of pain is an essential component of the care of critically ill patients. Opioids are a mainstay of this care in the ICU, used for both analgesia and sedation. However, recent trends in the overall use of opioids in the population have raised concerns regarding the potential for acute exposure to lead to long-term dependence or abuse. This talk will review the current evidence for the best use of opioids in the ICU and address the concern as to whether exposure during critical illness may impact long-term prescribing.

Target Audience

Critical Care Doctors
Experienced or advanced Critical Care Nurses

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this activity, you should be able to:

  • Understand the current practice patterns for use of opioids in the ICU
  • Understand the pros and cons of multi-modal analgesia as an alternative to opioids in the ICU
  • Know the rates of long-term use for opioids after critical illness
  • Identify risk factors for long-term use of opioids after critical illness