Long-Term Outcomes after Protocolized Sedation versus Usual Care in Ventilated Pediatric Patients

Whether a nurse-implemented goal-directed sedation protocol resulting in more awake yet calm intubated children affects postdischarge functional status, health-related quality of life, or risk for post-traumatic stress disorder is unknown. To compare postdischarge outcomes in children with acute respiratory failure cluster-randomized to a sedation protocol or usual care. A stratified random sample of 1,360 patients from 31 centers in the RESTORE (Randomized Evaluation of Sedation Titration for Respiratory Failure) trial was assessed by mail, electronically, and/or telephone 6 months after ICU discharge. In treatment group comparisons, we controlled for age, baseline functional status, and severity of illness. We used the Pediatric Overall Performance Category and the Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category to characterize functional status, the Infant and Toddler Quality of Life Questionnaire (97-item full-length version) (