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ABCDEF (A2F) Bundle

Kaele Leonard

Background

  • Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS): complex constellation of cognitive, physical, and psychological impairments that impact most survivors of critical illness, leading to disability, frailty, and poor quality of life
  • Predicted by (1) duration of immobility and (2) delirium
  • Both are reduced by >80% compliance with ABCDEF (A2F) Bundle concepts
  • ABCDEF (A2F) Bundle: Interprofessional, evidence-based safety bundle of care principles to help reduce LOS, mortality, bounce-backs, and the duration of ICU delirium and coma
  • Goal: allow pt to “prove us wrong” about readiness for liberation from devices, sedatives, etc.

**A**ssess, prevent, and manage pain

  • Tools to assess pain using facial expressions, body movements, muscle tension, compliance with ventilator, or vocalization for extubated pts
  • Ex: Critical Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT): scale 0-8, uncontrolled pain 3
  • Uncontrolled pain increases risk for delirium, limits inspiratory effort & weaning from ventilator, and limits ability to mobilize
  • Treatment: multi-modal: parenteral opioids, neuropathic meds (e.g., gabapentin, ketamine), adjunctive non-opioids analgesics (e.g., acetaminophen, NSAIDs), nonpharmacologic interventions (repositioning, heat/cold)

**B**oth spontaneous awakening trials (SATs) and spontaneous breathing trials (SBTs)

  • SATs = daily sedative interruptions
  • RN-driven protocol involving safety checklist: no active seizures, alcohol withdrawal, agitation, paralytics, myocardial infarction, or increased ICP
  • If pass SAT, then proceed to SBT
  • If fail SAT (anxiety, agitation, pain, resp distress) restart sedation at ½ doses
  • SBTs = PS ventilation (Fi02 ≤ 50%, PEEP ≤ 7.5; typically 40% and 5/5) for ≥ 30 minutes
  • RT or physician/APP-driven protocol with safety screen: passed SAT, O2 sat ≥ 88%, inspiratory efforts, no myocardial ischemia, no/low vasopressor support
  • If pass SBT, physician/APP judgment on extubation
  • If fail SBT (RR > 35 or \< 8, O2 sat \< 88%, resp distress, mental status change) restart full ventilatory support
  • Evidence:
    • Liberated pts from mechanical ventilation 3 days sooner, decreased ICU and hospital length of stay by 4 days, and 14% absolute reduction in mortality at 1 year

**C**hoice of analgesia and sedation

  • Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS): sedation & level of arousal assessment tool (Figure 1)
  • Target light sedation of RASS -1 to 0 with goal of (1) pt following commands without agitation and (2) limiting immobilization
  • Over-sedation: hold sedatives till target, then restart at ½ prior dose
  • Analgosedation with focus on treating pain first and then adding sedation meds PRN
  • Sedatives: dexmedetomidine (dex) or propofol >>> benzodiazepines
  • Benzodiazepines increase risk of delirium in a dose-dependent fashion

Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale

Figure 1: Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) Delirium - assess, prevent, and manage

**D**elirium- assess, prevent, and manage

  • Screening for delirium: q4hr using CAM-ICU (Figure 2)
  • Affects 60-80% of ventilated pts and associated with increased morbidity and mortality, longer ICU and hospital length of stay, long-term cognitive dysfunction
  • Risk factors and treatment: see Delirium section in Psychiatry

**E**arly mobility and exercise

  • Prolonged immobilization during critical illness leads to ICU-acquired weakness, associated with worse outcomes: ↑ mechanical ventilation, increased hosp length of stay, greater mortality, and greater disability
  • Consult PT/OT to initiate rehab at the beginning of critical illness
  • Can be done safely in pts receiving advanced support

**F**amily engagement and empowerment

  • Especially important when pts are unable to communicate themselves
  • Incorporate family at the bedside and on rounds to learn pt preferences and values, engage in shared-decision making, and address questions and concerns

ABCDEF

Last update: 2022-06-02 13:28:55