Jose R. Maldonado, MD

A critically ill patient with sepsis and persistent delirium with treatment-refractory insomnia experienced rapid improvement in sleep continuity, delirium severity, and bedside cognitive performance with zolpidem.

Pain, fear, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and agitation are common symptoms among critically ill patients, causing distress, interfering with medical care, and contributing to morbidity post discharge.

The authors explore the complexity, intensity, and critical decision-making faced by health care staff while caring for chronically and critically ill patients, especially in the context of medical futility.