Agitation management in the context of prolonged QTc and/or wide QRS

Assessment of QTc and Risk of Torsades de Pointes in Ventricular Conduction Delay and Pacing: A Review of the Literature and Call to Action PMID: 34489062

Description: Provides an evidenced-based formula for re-calculating the QTc or JT interval to account for a wide QRS complex observed in bundle branch blocks and ventricular pacing.  

Transitioning from precedex to clonidine in the ICU

Transition from dexmedetomidine to enteral clonidine for ICU sedation: an observational pilot study PMID: 25809176

Description: Authors provide a helpful management and dosing strategy to aid in the transition from precedex to clonidine when traditional precedex weans are complicated by persistent agitation.  

Antipsychotic use and second line agents in catatonia

Alternative treatment strategies for catatonia: A systematic review PMID: 28917389

Description: Reviews the evidence for second and third line treatments of catatonia including NMDA receptor antagonists, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers. The article also includes a helpful algorithm to approach treating catatonia in cases of benzodiazepine resistance or when ECT is not available.   

Capacity criteria

Clinical practice. Assessment of patients' competence to consent to treatment PMID: 17978292

Description: Provides clinical guidance and criteria regarding how to determine in a patient has capacity and the specific tasks that the patient needs to complete to demonstrate capacity. Also contains sample questions to ask patient to help in capacity determination.  

Transplant Evaluation

The Stanford Integrated Psychosocial Assessment for Transplantation (SIPAT): a new tool for the psychosocial evaluation of pre-transplant candidates PMID: 2242416

SIPAT template

Description: Article provides guidance regarding how to do a general organ transplant evaluation and the important components to pay attention to regarding social supports and substance use. Use of this evaluation can provide a numerical risk score. Template distills the article and makes it a usable tool. 

Management of agitation related to TBI

1. Drugs for behavior disorders after traumatic brain injury: Systematic review and expert consensus leading to French recommendations for good practice PMID: 26797170

Description: Review article provides evidence and reported efficacy for various medication classes, including antipsychotics and antiepileptics and givens guidance regarding dosages that have been shown to be helpful. 

2. Beta-Blocker Therapy in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial PMID: 32002583

Description: Article provides more insight regarding propranolol usage in TBI specifically for agitation. 

Addiction case requiring calculation of morphine equivalent dose

DFCI/BWH Pain Management Tables & Guidelines

Description: Includes opioid conversion estimates tables. Provides guidance on how to apply these estimates to cross titrations involving buprenorphine and methadone. 

Agitation and psychosis management in pregnancy

1. Safety of Psychotropic Medications During Pregnancy PMID: 31010557

2. British Association for Psychopharmacology consensus guidance on the use of psychotropic medication preconception, in pregnancy and postpartum 2017 PMID: 28440103

Description: Both articles provide a general consensus regarding the safety and efficacy of wide range of psychotropic medications during pregnancy and their associated risks and benefits, including antipsychotics.