Table 1

Process measures and outcome measures for the sedation protocol

IndicatorTypeDescriptionNumeratorDenominator
Average number of intermittent sedation dosesProcess measuresThe number of intermittent non-procedural sedation doses given to the patient to achieve the target comfort levelTotal number of non-procedural sedation doses* monthlyPer 12-hour shift per patient
Average number of assessments of Comfort-B ScaleProcess measuresThe total number of COMFORT-B Scale assessments performed on the patient during a nurse’s shift (12 hours)Total number of COMFORT-B Scale assessments performed monthlyPer 12-hour shift per patient
Compliance rateProcess measuresPercentage of non-compliant shifts (not following the sedation protocol) over total shiftsNumber of non-compliant shiftsNumber of total sedation shifts per month
Percentage of achieved target sedationOutcome measuresPercentage of optimal sedation level measured by COMFORT-B Scale score over a total of COMFORT-B Scale score measurementsNumber of COMFORT-B Scale assessments achieving the target levelTotal number of COMFORT-B Scale assessments performed per month
Average duration of sedationOutcome measuresAverage duration of sedationSedation duration (hours)Number of patients

  • *Procedural sedation doses: sedatives administered for procedures, such as chest radiography and central line insertion.

  • COMFORT-B, COMFORT-Behaviour.