Single-drug sedation with fentanyl for prehospital postintubation sedation in trauma patients.

Background: A fentanyl-only (FO) regimen for prehospital postintubation sedation in trauma patients was compared with the standard protocol (SP) of fentanyl + benzodiazepine.

Methods: Intubated patients transported to a Level I trauma center from December 1, 2005, to April 30, 2009, were retrospectively reviewed. Before 2007, only SP was used; afterward both regimens were used.