Implementation of an Analgesia-sedation Algorithm in the Pediatric ICU to Reduce Benzodiazepine Use

The analgesia-sedation algorithm is a suggested protocol for approach to providing analgesia and sedation to patients admitted to the pediatric ICU who are newly intubated. The approach focuses on using dexmedetomidine as the primary sedative, non-opioids as the primary analgesia, then stepwise approach to adding in adjunctives (e.g. opioids, non-benzodiazepines) with the intention of minimizing benzodiazepine exposure and utilizing minimal-dose effective analgesia/sedative dosing.