Impact of a remifentanil supply shortage on mechanical ventilation in a tertiary care hospital: a retrospective comparison

Table 3 Dosages of opioids

Agent	Shortage	Control	P value
Remifentanil
Used in x patients	36 (27)	129 (92)	<0.001^a
Cum. dosage, mg	26.3 (8.8–90.3)	11.3 (4.5–29.1)	0.011^b
Avg. dosage, μg kg^− 1 min^− 1	0.10 (0.01–0.15)	0.10 (0.07–0.16)	0.975^b
Fentanyl
Used in x patients	89 (67)	55 (39)	<0.001^a
Cum. dosage, μg	1400 (800–2040)	1130 (910–1400)	0.066^b
Avg. dosage, μg kg⁻¹ h^− 1	175 (111–232)	193 (150–150)	0.066^b
Sufentanil
Used in x patients	36 (27)	4 (3)	<0.001^a
Cum. dosage, mg	3.9 (1.2–16.8)	16.9 (4.0–46.4)	0.443^b
Avg. dosage, μg kg⁻¹ h^− 1	1.21 (0.79–1.79)	1.44 (0.54–1.71)	0.892^b
Morphine
Used in x patients	22 (17)	1 (1)	<0.001^a
Cum. dosage, mg	76 (31–361)	15 (15–15)	0.131^b
Avg. dosage, mg h⁻¹	4.0 (2.4–5.1)	5.0 (5.0–5.0)	0.407^b
Hydromorphone
Used in x patients	4 (3)	0 (0)	0.115^a
Cum. dosage, mg	24 (9–28)	–	–
Avg. dosage, mg h⁻¹	0.28 (0.16–2.06)	–	–
Morphine equivalents pain management
Cum. dosage, mg	23.6 (6.6–64.3)	27.1 (8.6–72.2)	0.350^b

Data are given as absolute count with percentage or median with 25th and 75th percentile
Statistical methods: ^aPearson’s chi-squared test with Yates’s continuity correction, ^bWilcoxon rank-sum test
Cumulative dosages contain agents that were administered during intensive care unit admission and intraoperatively. Daily dosages are given per time or per body weight and time. “Morphine equivalents pain management” contains the m. e. of every additional opioid for pain management (intravenous bolus, oral opioids, and transdermal applications).

ISSN: 1364-8535