25 min

Spontaneous Awakening Trials with Kali Dayton, DNP Up My Nursing Game

    • Medicine

Sedation and delirium can derail even the strongest patient's recovery in the ICU - but spontaneous awakening trials (SATs) can empower nurses to get ahead of this vicious cycle. In this candid episode, I pick the brain of Kali Dayton, an ICU nurse practitioner fervent about early mobility, pulls back the curtain on SATs, a tragically misunderstood intervention that involves stopping sedatives each day to reconnect with the patient. With a mix of hard data and bedside wisdom, Kali reveals SATs as a game-changer for bettering outcomes like delirium, ventilator days, and the chance of discharge to home. You'll hear practical tips on everything from managing agitated awakenings to recruiting family as awakening coaches. Whether you're routinely pawing through SAT policies or clueless about this critical care practice, this lively dialogue will upend assumptions about sedation and empower you to maximize your impact.
Mentioned in this episode: RASS survey
Check out Nicole Kupchik's exam reviews and practice questions at nicolekupchikconsulting.com. Use the promo code UPMYGAME20 to get 20% off all products.
Do you need help with your resume, interviewing, or need career coaching? Check out Sarah at New Thing Nurse:

Get 15% off of her resume and cover letter templates using the promo code UPMYGAME

Nursing students and new grad career services 

Experienced RN career services

NP career services


See the show notes at upmynursinggame.com.

Sedation and delirium can derail even the strongest patient's recovery in the ICU - but spontaneous awakening trials (SATs) can empower nurses to get ahead of this vicious cycle. In this candid episode, I pick the brain of Kali Dayton, an ICU nurse practitioner fervent about early mobility, pulls back the curtain on SATs, a tragically misunderstood intervention that involves stopping sedatives each day to reconnect with the patient. With a mix of hard data and bedside wisdom, Kali reveals SATs as a game-changer for bettering outcomes like delirium, ventilator days, and the chance of discharge to home. You'll hear practical tips on everything from managing agitated awakenings to recruiting family as awakening coaches. Whether you're routinely pawing through SAT policies or clueless about this critical care practice, this lively dialogue will upend assumptions about sedation and empower you to maximize your impact.
Mentioned in this episode: RASS survey
Check out Nicole Kupchik's exam reviews and practice questions at nicolekupchikconsulting.com. Use the promo code UPMYGAME20 to get 20% off all products.
Do you need help with your resume, interviewing, or need career coaching? Check out Sarah at New Thing Nurse:

Get 15% off of her resume and cover letter templates using the promo code UPMYGAME

Nursing students and new grad career services 

Experienced RN career services

NP career services


See the show notes at upmynursinggame.com.

25 min