NOTE: Use the PFC Analgesia and Sedation Guideline table (Appendix A) for recommended treatments.

 

The PFC Analgesia and Sedation Guideline table in Appendix A is arranged according to anticipated clinical conditions, corresponding goals of care, and the capabilities needed to provide effective analgesia and sedation according to (1) the minimum standard, (2) a better option when mission and equipment support is available (all medics should be trained to this standard), and (3) the best option that may only be available in the event a medic has had additional training and experience, and/or equipment is available. The table is intended to be a quick reference guide but is not stand alone: you must also know the information in the rest of the guideline.

Medications in the table are presented as either Give or Consider.

Step 1. Identify the clinical condition.

Step 2. Read down the column to the row representing your available resources and training.

Step 3. Provide analgesia/sedation medication accordingly.

Step 4. Consider using the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) score (Appendix F) as a method to trend the patient’s sedation level.

For IV/IO drip medications:

DO NOT mix more than one medication in the same bag of crystalloid because this practice has not been studied and may not be safe. Mixing medications together, even for a relatively short time, may