Who is going to turn on the ventilators?

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, a continental-sized country, considered as an emerging economy but with several regional nuances, focusing on the availability of human resources, especially for intensive care units. METHODS: The database of the National Registry of Health Facilities was accessed. Healthcare professionals in the care of COVID-19 were georeferenced. We correlated the number of professionals with the parameters used by the World Health Organization. According to the Brazilian Intensive Care Medicine Association, we correlated the data for adult intensive care unit beds in each state with the number of professionals for each ten intensive care unit beds. The number of professionals, beds, and cases were then organized by state. RESULTS: The number of physicians per 100 thousand inhabitants followed the World Health Organization recommendations; however, the number of nurses did not. The number of intensivists, registered nurses, nurse technicians specialized in intensive care, and respiratory therapists, necessary for every ten intensive care beds, was not enough for any of these professional categories. A complete team of critical care specialists was available for 10% of intensive care unit beds in Brazil. CONCLUSION: There is a shortage of professionals for intensive care unit, as we demonstrated for Brazil. Intensive care physical resources to be efficiently used require extremely specialized human resources; therefore, planning human resources is just as crucial as planning physical and structural resources.

Uma análise de custo-efetividade de propofol versus midazolam para sedação de pacientes adultos admitidos à unidade de terapia intensiva / A cost-effectiveness analysis of propofol versus midazolam for the sedation of adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit

RESUMO Objetivo: Construir um modelo de custo-efetividade para comparar o uso de propofol com o de midazolam em pacientes críticos adultos sob uso de ventilação mecânica. Métodos: Foi construído um modelo de árvore decisória para pacientes críticos submetidos à ventilação mecânica, o qual foi analisado sob a perspectiva do sistema privado de saúde no Brasil. O horizonte temporal foi o da internação na unidade de terapia intensiva. Os desfechos foram custo-efetividade por hora de permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva evitada e custo-efetividade por hora de ventilação mecânica evitada. Foram obtidos os dados do modelo a partir de metanálise prévia. Assumiu-se que o custo da medicação estava incluído nos custos da unidade de terapia intensiva. Conduziram-se análises univariada e de sensibilidade probabilística. Resultados: Pacientes mecanicamente ventilados em uso de propofol tiveram diminuição de sua permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva e na duração da ventilação mecânica, respectivamente, em 47,97 horas e 21,65 horas. Com o uso de propofol, ocorreu redução média do custo de U$2.998,971 em comparação ao uso do midazolam. A custo-efetividade por hora de permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva evitada e por hora de ventilação mecânica evitada foi dominante, respectivamente, em 94,40% e 80,8% do tempo. Conclusão: Ocorreu diminuição significante do custo associado ao uso de propofol, no que se refere à permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva e à duração da ventilação mecânica para pacientes críticos adultos.

ABSTRACT Objective: To build a cost-effectiveness model to compare the use of propofol versus midazolam in critically ill adult patients under mechanical ventilation. Methods: We built a decision tree model for critically ill patients submitted to mechanical ventilation and analyzed it from the Brazilian private health care system perspective. The time horizon was that of intensive care unit hospitalization. The outcomes were cost-effectiveness per hour of intensive care unit stay avoided and cost-effectiveness per hour of mechanical ventilation avoided. We retrieved data for the model from a previous meta-analysis. We assumed that the cost of medication was embedded in the intensive care unit cost. We conducted univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Results: Mechanically ventilated patients using propofol had their intensive care unit stay and the duration of mechanical ventilation decreased by 47.97 hours and 21.65 hours, respectively. There was an average cost reduction of US$ 2,998.971 for propofol when compared to midazolam. The cost-effectiveness per hour of intensive care unit stay and mechanical ventilation avoided were dominant 94.40% and 80.8% of the time, respectively. Conclusion: There was a significant reduction in costs associated with propofol use related to intensive care unit stay and duration of mechanical ventilation for critically ill adult patients.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of propofol versus midazolam for the sedation of adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit. / Uma análise de custo-efetividade de propofol versus midazolam para sedação de pacientes adultos admitidos à unidade de terapia intensiva.

OBJECTIVE: To build a cost-effectiveness model to compare the use of propofol versus midazolam in critically ill adult patients under mechanical ventilation. METHODS: We built a decision tree model for critically ill patients submitted to mechanical ventilation and analyzed it from the Brazilian private health care system perspective. The time horizon was that of intensive care unit hospitalization. The outcomes were cost-effectiveness per hour of intensive care unit stay avoided and cost-effectiveness per hour of mechanical ventilation avoided. We retrieved data for the model from a previous meta-analysis. We assumed that the cost of medication was embedded in the intensive care unit cost. We conducted univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: Mechanically ventilated patients using propofol had their intensive care unit stay and the duration of mechanical ventilation decreased by 47.97 hours and 21.65 hours, respectively. There was an average cost reduction of US$ 2,998.971 for propofol when compared to midazolam. The cost-effectiveness per hour of intensive care unit stay and mechanical ventilation avoided were dominant 94.40% and 80.8% of the time, respectively. CONCLUSION: There was a significant reduction in costs associated with propofol use related to intensive care unit stay and duration of mechanical ventilation for critically ill adult patients.

OBJETIVO: Construir um modelo de custo-efetividade para comparar o uso de propofol com o de midazolam em pacientes críticos adultos sob uso de ventilação mecânica. MÉTODOS: Foi construído um modelo de árvore decisória para pacientes críticos submetidos à ventilação mecânica, o qual foi analisado sob a perspectiva do sistema privado de saúde no Brasil. O horizonte temporal foi o da internação na unidade de terapia intensiva. Os desfechos foram custo-efetividade por hora de permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva evitada e custo-efetividade por hora de ventilação mecânica evitada. Foram obtidos os dados do modelo a partir de metanálise prévia. Assumiu-se que o custo da medicação estava incluído nos custos da unidade de terapia intensiva. Conduziram-se análises univariada e de sensibilidade probabilística. RESULTADOS: Pacientes mecanicamente ventilados em uso de propofol tiveram diminuição de sua permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva e na duração da ventilação mecânica, respectivamente, em 47,97 horas e 21,65 horas. Com o uso de propofol, ocorreu redução média do custo de U$2.998,971 em comparação ao uso do midazolam. A custo-efetividade por hora de permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva evitada e por hora de ventilação mecânica evitada foi dominante, respectivamente, em 94,40% e 80,8% do tempo. CONCLUSÃO: Ocorreu diminuição significante do custo associado ao uso de propofol, no que se refere à permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva e à duração da ventilação mecânica para pacientes críticos adultos.

Who is going to turn on the ventilators? / Quem vai ligar os ventiladores?

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, a continental-sized country, considered as an emerging economy but with several regional nuances, focusing on the availability of human resources, especially for intensive care units. Methods The database of the National Registry of Health Facilities was accessed. Healthcare professionals in the care of COVID-19 were georeferenced. We correlated the number of professionals with the parameters used by the World Health Organization. According to the Brazilian Intensive Care Medicine Association, we correlated the data for adult intensive care unit beds in each state with the number of professionals for each ten intensive care unit beds. The number of professionals, beds, and cases were then organized by state. Results The number of physicians per 100 thousand inhabitants followed the World Health Organization recommendations; however, the number of nurses did not. The number of intensivists, registered nurses, nurse technicians specialized in intensive care, and respiratory therapists, necessary for every ten intensive care beds, was not enough for any of these professional categories. A complete team of critical care specialists was available for 10% of intensive care unit beds in Brazil. Conclusion There is a shortage of professionals for intensive care unit, as we demonstrated for Brazil. Intensive care physical resources to be efficiently used require extremely specialized human resources; therefore, planning human resources is just as crucial as planning physical and structural resources.

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar a pandemia da COVID-19 no Brasil, um país de dimensões continentais, considerado uma economia emergente, mas com inúmeras diferenças regionais, abordando a disponibilidade de recursos humanos, especialmente para unidades de terapia intensiva. Métodos Foi acessado o banco de dados do Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde. Os profissionais de saúde que atuavam nos cuidados para COVID-19 foram georreferenciados. O número de profissionais foi correlacionado com os parâmetros utilizados pela Organização Mundial da Saúde. De acordo com a Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira, correlacionaram-se os dados de leitos de terapia intensiva adulta em cada unidade federativa com o número de profissionais para cada dez leitos de terapia intensiva. Os números de profissionais, leitos e casos foram, então, organizados por unidade federativa. Resultados O número de médicos por 100 mil habitantes seguiu as recomendações da Organização Mundial da Saúde; mas não o número de enfermeiras. O número de intensivistas, enfermeiros, técnicos de enfermagem especializados em terapia intensiva e fisioterapeutas respiratórios, necessário a cada dez leitos de terapia intensiva, não foi suficiente para nenhuma dessas categorias profissionais. Uma equipe completa desses especialistas esteve disponível para 10% dos leitos de terapia intensiva do Brasil. Conclusão Há carência de profissionais para unidade de terapia intensiva, como demonstrado no Brasil. Os recursos físicos da terapia intensiva, para serem usados de forma eficiente, precisam de recursos humanos extremamente especializados; portanto, o planejamento de recursos humanos é tão crucial quanto o planejamento de recursos físicos e estruturais.

Which children account for repeated admissions within 1 year in a Brazilian pediatric intensive care unit? / Quais crianças representam as internações de repetição em um ano em uma unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica brasileira?

Abstract Objective: While studies have focused on early readmissions or readmissions during the same hospitalization in a pediatric intensive care unit, little is known about the children with recurrent admissions. We sought to assess the characteristics of patients readmitted within 1 year in a Brazilian pediatric intensive care unit. Methods: This was a retrospective study carried out in a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit. The outcome was the maximum number of readmissions experienced by each child within any 365-day interval during a 5-year follow-up period. Results: Of the 758 total eligible admissions, 75 patients (9.8%) were readmissions. Those patients accounted for 33% of all pediatric intensive care unit bed care days. Median time to readmission was 73 days for all readmissions. Logistic regression showed that complex chronic conditions (odds ratio 1.07), severe to moderate cognitive disability (odds ratio 1.08), and use of technology assistance (odds ratio 1.17) were associated with readmissions. Multiple admissions had a significantly prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation (8 vs. 6 days), longer length of pediatric intensive care unit (7 vs 4 days) and hospital stays (20 vs 9 days), and higher mortality rate (21.3% vs 5.1%) compared with index admissions. Conclusion: The rate of pediatric intensive care unit readmissions within 1 year was low; however, it was associated with a relevant number of bed care days and worse outcomes. A 30-day index of readmission may be inadequate to mirror the burden of pediatric intensive care unit readmissions. Patients with complex chronic conditions, poor functional status or technology assistance are at higher risk for readmissions. Future studies should address the impact of qualitative interventions on healthcare and recurrent admissions.

Resumo: Objetivo: Apesar dos estudos terem focado em reinternações precoces ou reinternações durante a mesma internação na unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica, pouco se sabe sobre essas crianças com internações recorrentes. Buscamos avaliar as características dos pacientes reinternados em 1 ano em uma unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica brasileira. Métodos: Este foi um estudo retrospectivo realizado em uma unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica terciária. O resultado foi o número máximo de reinternações por cada criança em qualquer período de 365 dias durante um período de acompanhamento de 5 anos. Resultados: Do total de 758 internações elegíveis, 75 pacientes (9,8%) foram de reinternações. Esses pacientes representaram 33% de todos os dias de cuidados com os internados na unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica. O tempo mediano para a reinternação foi 73 dias para todas as reinternações. A regressão logística mostrou que as doenças crônicas complexas (razão de chance de 1,07), deficiência cognitiva grave a moderada (razão de chance de 1,08) e uso de suporte de aparelhos tecnológicos (razão de chance de 1,17) foram associados às reinternações. As múltiplas internações apresentaram duração significativamente prolongada na ventilação mecânica (8 em comparação a 6 dias), maior tempo de internação na unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica (7 em comparação a 4 dias) e tempos de internação (20 em comparação a 9 dias) e maior taxa de mortalidade (21,3% em comparação a 5,1%), em comparação às internações iniciais. Conclusão: A taxa de reinternações na unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica em 1 ano foi baixa, porém foi associada a um número relevante de cuidados durante internação e piores resultados. Um índice de reinternação de 30 dias pode ser inadequado para refletir a grande número de reinternações na unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica. Os pacientes com doenças crônicas complexas, estado funcional ruim ou suporte de aparelhos tecnológicos correm maior risco de reinternações. Estudos futuros devem abordar o impacto das intervenções qualitativas sobre os serviços de saúde e as internações recorrentes.

Nosocomial infections caused by Elizabeth kingiameningoseptica: an emergent pathogen

We hereby describe the clinical and epidemiological features and, outcomes of nine patientswith Elizabethkingia meningoseptica infections in two hospitals over a 2-year period. All infectionscaused by this pathogen were nosocomial, or healthcare associated infections, inhemodialysis settings whereas none was correlated with hospital outbreaks.

Nosocomial infections caused by Elizabethkingia meningoseptica: an emergent pathogen.

We hereby describe the clinical and epidemiological features and, outcomes of nine patients with Elizabethkingia meningoseptica infections in two hospitals over a 2-year period. All infections caused by this pathogen were nosocomial, or healthcare associated infections, in hemodialysis settings whereas none was correlated with hospital outbreaks.

Unplanned extubation in the neonatal ICU: a systematic review, critical appraisal, and evidence-based recommendations.

OBJECTIVE: To update the state of knowledge on unplanned extubations (UEs) in neonatal ICUs. This review focuses on the following topics: incidence, risk factors, reintubation after UE, outcomes, and prevention. METHODS: The MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scielo, Lilacs, and Cochrane databases were searched for relevant publications from January 1, 1950, through January 30, 2012. Fifteen articles were selected for data abstraction. The search strategy included the following key words: "unplanned extubation," "accidental extubation," "self extubation," "unintentional extubation," "unexpected extubation," "inadvertent extubation," "unintended extubation," "spontaneous extubation," "treatment interference," and "airway accident." Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Grades of recommendation were assessed according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine's levels of evidence system. Studies with Newcastle-Ottawa scale score ≥ 5 that included appropriate statistical analysis were deemed of high methodological quality. RESULTS: The overall mean Newcastle-Ottawa scale score was 3.5. UE rates ranged from 0.14 to 5.3 UEs/100 intubation days, or 1% to 80.8%. Risk factors included restlessness/agitation (13-89%), poor fixation of endotracheal tube (8.5-31%), tube manipulation at the time of UE (17-30%), and performance of a patient procedure at bedside (27.5-51%). One study showed that every day on mechanical ventilation increased the UE risk 3% (relative risk 1.03, P < .001). The association between birth weight/gestational age and UE is controversial. Reintubation rates ranged from 8.3% to 100%. There is still a gap of information about strategies addressed to reduce the incidence of UE. The best method of endotracheal tube securement remains a controversial issue. CONCLUSIONS: Despite numerous publications on UE, there are few studies assessing preventive strategies for adverse events and there is a lack of randomized clinical trials. Recommendations are proposed based on the current available literature.

Levels of carcinoembryonic antigen and CA 19-9 in the sera and peritoneal washing of patients undergoing surgical treatment for gastric carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Early peritoneal recurrence of gastric carcinoma following curative resection remains a great challenge in the treatment and prevention of this disease. AIM: To analyze the relationship between levels of tumor markers, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA 19-9 in the sera and peritoneal washing, and anatomopathological aspects of the gastric carcinoma. METHODS: Of the 46 patients in the study, 29 (63.0%) were males and 17 (37.0%) females. Mean age was 63.6 +/- 11.7 years (31 to 91 years). Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from the upper limb vein from both patient groups after anesthetic induction, in order to determine serum levels of CEA and CA 19-9. After the end of the procedure, 50 mL of physiologic solution was introduced into the bottom of the Douglas sack and a portion aspirated to determine CEA and CA 19-9 levels in the peritoneal washing. Levels of CEA and CA 19-9 in the sera and peritoneal washing were compared to the following variables: lesion diameter < or = 4 cm or > 4 cm, lymph node involvement, angiolymphatic invasion, depth of invasion into gastric wall, and initial or late stage. RESULTS: Sera CEA levels were significantly higher in patients with lesions >5 cm. CEA levels in the sera and peritoneal washing were significantly greater in patients with signet ring cell gastric carcinoma. In addition, levels of CEA in peripheral blood and peritoneal washing showed significant association with the degree of carcinoma penetration into the gastric wall, while sera CEA was significantly higher in patients at more advanced stages. There was no significant difference between sera and peritoneal CEA values regarding grade of differentiation. Patients with gastric lesions measuring > 5 cm and more differentiated lesions had significantly higher sera CA 19-9 values. In patients with lymph nodes invasion by gastric carcinoma, CA 19-9 levels in peritoneal washing were significantly higher than in peripheral blood. Levels of CA 19-9 in peritoneal washing were significantly greater at advanced stages than the initial stage of the gastric carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated levels of CA 19-9 in peritoneal washing were significantly associated with more advance stages of gastric carcinoma and was more reliable predictive factor for staging than sera CA 19-9 levels. CEA levels in the sera more accurately reflected neoplasia stage than levels in peritoneal washing.

Levels of carcinoembryonic antigen and CA 19-9 in the sera and peritoneal washing of patients undergoing surgical treatment for gastric carcinoma / Níveis do antígeno carcinoembriônico e do CA 19-9 no soro e no lavado peritonial em doentes submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico do carcinoma gástrico

BACKGROUND: Early peritoneal recurrence of gastric carcinoma following curative resection remains a great challenge in the treatment and prevention of this disease. AIM: To analyze the relationship between levels of tumor markers, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA 19-9 in the sera and peritoneal washing, and anatomopathological aspects of the gastric carcinoma. METHODS: Of the 46 patients in the study, 29 (63.0 percent) were males and 17 (37.0 percent) females. Mean age was 63.6 ± 11.7 years (31 to 91 years). Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from the upper limb vein from both patient groups after anesthetic induction, in order to determine serum levels of CEA and CA 19-9. After the end of the procedure, 50 mL of physiologic solution was introduced into the bottom of the Douglas sack and a portion aspirated to determine CEA and CA 19-9 levels in the peritoneal washing. Levels of CEA and CA 19-9 in the sera and peritoneal washing were compared to the following variables: lesion diameter ≤4 cm or >4 cm, lymph node involvement, angiolymphatic invasion, depth of invasion into gastric wall, and initial or late stage. RESULTS: Sera CEA levels were significantly higher in patients with lesions >5 cm. CEA levels in the sera and peritoneal washing were significantly greater in patients with signet ring cell gastric carcinoma. In addition, levels of CEA in peripheral blood and peritoneal washing showed significant association with the degree of carcinoma penetration into the gastric wall, while sera CEA was significantly higher in patients at more advanced stages. There was no significant difference between sera and peritoneal CEA values regarding grade of differentiation. Patients with gastric lesions measuring > 5cm and more differentiated lesions had significantly higher sera CA 19-9 values. In patients with lymph nodes invasion by gastric carcinoma, CA 19-9 levels in peritoneal washing were significantly higher than in ...

RACIONAL: A recidiva peritonial precoce do carcinoma gástrico operado com intenção curativa continua sendo um grande desafio do seu tratamento e prevenção. OBJETIVO: Analisar a relação entre os níveis do marcador tumoral antígeno carcinoembriônico (CEA) e CA 19-9 no sangue e no lavado peritonial e os aspectos anatomopatológicos do carcinoma gástrico. MÉTODO: Dos 46 doentes do estudo, 29 (63,0 por cento) eram do sexo masculino e 17 (37,0 por cento) do feminino. A média de idade foi de 63,6 ± 11,7 anos (31 a 91 anos). Após a indução anestésica, o sangue venoso periférico foi coletado de veia do membro superior para a determinação do nível sérico do CEA e CA 19-9. Após o término do procedimento operatório foram derramados 50 mL de solução fisiológica no fundo de saco de Douglas, aspirada alíquota que foi encaminhada para a determinação do nível no lavado peritonial do CEA e CA 19-9. O nível do CEA e do CA 19-9 sérico e no lavado peritonial foram relacionados às seguintes variáveis: diâmetro da lesão ≤4 cm ou >4 cm, comprometimento linfonodal, invasão angiolifática, profundidade de invasão na parede gástrica e estádio inicial ou tardio. RESULTADOS: Em relação ao CEA, o nível sérico foi significantemente maior nos doentes com o diâmetro da lesão >5 cm. O nível de CEA sérico e no lavado peritonial foi significantemente maior nos doentes com carcinoma gástrico com células em anel de sinete. O nível de CEA no sangue periférico e no lavado peritonial mostrou relação significante com o nível de penetração do carcinoma na parede gástrica, e o CEA sérico foi significantemente mais elevado nos doentes com estádio mais avançados. Não houve diferença significante entre os valores do CEA sérico e peritonial nos carcinomas mais diferenciados em relação aos menos diferenciados. No tocante ao CA 19-9, os enfermos com lesões gástricas com diâmetro >5 cm e mais diferenciadas exibiram valores séricos de CA 19-9 significantemente maiores. Nos doentes ...

Successful treatment of vancomycin-resistant enterococcus ventriculitis in a child

Enterococci are an uncommon cause of CNS infection. A 20 month-old boy, diagnosed with hydrocephalus with ventriculoperitoneal shunt and history of lengthy hospitalization and use of wide spectrum antibiotics, was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit diagnosed with ventriculitis. On the 14th day of empirical antibiotic therapy (vancomycin and meropenem) the child presented fever while the CSF sample culture evidenced vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium. The patient received intravenous linezolid achieving cerebrospinal fluid sterilization. Conclusion: Intravenous linezolid appears to be a safe and effective therapy for vancomycin-resistant enterococcus ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection.

Negative-pressure pulmonary edema: a rare complication of upper airway obstruction in children.

UNLABELLED: Negative-pressure pulmonary edema is a rare but life-threatening complication of upper airway obstruction. Because negative-pressure pulmonary edema may occur in a large spectrum of pathologies associated with upper airway obstruction, awareness of this condition is crucial during daily clinical practice. We report a case of negative-pressure pulmonary edema during anesthetic recovery to highlight this condition. CASE: A 2-year-old boy was scheduled for orchidopexy under general anesthesia. Shortly after an uneventful operation, the patient presented airway obstruction. Serious oxygen desaturation and bradycardia ensued, during inefficient attempts at positive-pressure ventilation. After emergency intubation, copious pink secretions emerged from the airway. Pulmonary edema was confirmed by clinical examination, pulse oximetry, and chest radiography. The finding of pulmonary edema was resolved within 24 hours after mechanical ventilation and positive end-expiratory pressure. The child suffered no sequelae. This report highlights the clinical features of negative-pressure pulmonary edema and serves as a reminder to the pediatrician who must be able to recognize and initiate treatment for conditions that are uncommon but life-threatening.

Asma aguda grave na infância / Severe acute asthma in childhood

Os autores revêem o tema da crise aguda de asma na criança, atualizando sua etiologia e fisiopatologia, o quadro clínico e o tratamento. Em todos esses aspectos säo estudados os modernos conceitos e conhecimentos a respeito dessa importante patologia, de incidência elevada nos serviços de pronto atendimento, destacando-se as indicaçöes para uso das drogas de introduçäo mais recente na terapêutica, acompanhada das respectivas dosagens.

Comparison between the confort and hartwig sedation scales in pediatric patients undergoing mechanical lung ventilation

CONTEXT: A high number of hospitalized children do not receive adequate sedation due to inadequate evaluation and use of such agents. With the increase in knowledge of sedation and analgesia in recent years, concern has also risen, such that it is now not acceptable that incorrect evaluations of the state of children's pain and anxiety are made. OBJECTIVE: A comparison between the Comfort and Hartwig sedation scales in pediatric patients undergoing mechanical lung ventilation. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: A pediatric intensive care unit with three beds at an urban teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty simultaneous and independent observations were conducted by specialists on 18 patients studied. DIAGNOSTIC TEST: Comfort and Hartwig scales were applied, after 3 minutes of observation. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Agreement rate (kappa). RESULTS: On the Comfort scale, the averages for adequately sedated, insufficiently sedated, and over-sedated were 20.28 (SD 2.78), 27.5 (SD 0.70), and 15.1 (SD 1.10), respectively, whereas on the Hartwig scale, the averages for adequately sedated, insufficiently sedated, and over-sedated were 16.35 (SD 0.77), 20.85 (SD 1.57), and 13.0 (SD 0.89), respectively. The observed agreement rate was 63 per cent (p = 0.006) and the expected agreement rate was 44 per cent with a Kappa coefficient of 0.345238 (z = 2.49). CONCLUSIONS: In our study there was no statistically significant difference whether the more complex Comfort scale was applied (8 physiological and behavioral parameters) or the less complex Hartwig scale (5 behavioral parameters) was applied to assess the sedation of mechanically ventilated pediatric patients.