INTRODUCTION: Sedation and analgesia are provided by using different agents and 
techniques in different countries. The goal is to achieve early spontaneous 
breathing and to obtain an awake and cooperative pain-free patient. It was the 
aim of this study to conduct a survey of the agents and techniques used for 
analgesia and sedation in intensive care units in Germany.
METHODS: A survey was sent by mail to 261 hospitals in Germany. The 
anesthesiologists running the intensive care unit were asked to fill in the 
structured questionnaire about their use of sedation and analgesia.
RESULTS: A total of 220 (84%) questionnaires were completed and returned. The 
RAMSAY sedation scale was used in 8% of the hospitals. A written policy was 
available in 21% of hospitals. For short-term sedation in most hospitals, 
propofol was used in combination with sufentanil or fentanyl. For long-term 
sedation, midazolam/fentanyl was preferred. Clonidine was a common part of up to 
two-thirds of the regimens. Epidural analgesia was used in up to 68%. 
Neuromuscular blocking agents were no longer used.
CONCLUSION: In contrast to the US 'Clinical practice guidelines for the 
sustained use of sedatives and analgesics in the critically ill adult', our 
survey showed that in Germany different agents, and frequently neuroaxial 
techniques, were used.