Sedation practices in the ICU have evolved dramatically over the past decade — but are we truly following the evidence?

In this episode of The Critical Care Practitioner Podcast, Jonathan takes you through the key milestones in sedation guidance, the persistent gap between recommendations and real-world practice, and the emerging shift toward human-centered, wakeful care.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• PAD Guidelines (2013) & beyond: How Barr et al. and later ATS/CHEST summaries shaped modern sedation practice.
• Where we fall short: Why deep sedation is still common and the barriers to lighter, protocolised care.
• Human-centered sedation: The move from “snowed and stable” to “awake and engaged.”
• Future directions: Personalised sedation, integrated bundles, non-pharmacologic strategies, and technology-driven monitoring.
• Practical takeaways: Simple steps you can apply on your next shift — from setting clear sedation targets to working as a team toward wakefulness and recovery.

Key Takeaway

Sedation is not passive. It’s an active, daily decision that influences survival, recovery, and dignity. The future of ICU care is one where wakefulness is a therapeutic goal — not a risk