The Use of the Behavioral Pain Scale to Assess Pain in Conscious Sedated Patients

• DOI: 10.1213/ane.0b013e3181c3119e
• Publication Date: 2009-12-17T13:31:34Z
• Authors: Sabine J. G. M. A...; Aletta M. van der...; Monique van Dijk; Dick Tibboel; Catherijne A. J. ...
• Keywords: Pain scale

In Brief BACKGROUND: Assessing pain in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients is a great challenge. There need for an adequate measurement tool use conscious sedated because of their questionable communicative abilities. this study, we evaluated the Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) comparison with its deeply patients, whom BPS was developed. Additionally, combination and patient-rated Verbal Rating (VRS-4) evaluated. METHODS: We performed prospective evaluation study 80 nonparalyzed adult intensive care unit patients. Over 2 mo, nurses 175 observation series: 126 49 Each series consisted ratings (range 3–12) at 4 points: rest, during nonpainful procedure, retest routine painful procedure. Patients state also self-reported using 4-point VRS-4. RESULTS: scores procedures were significantly higher than those both (5.1 [4.8–5.5] vs 3.4 [3.3–3.5], respectively) (5.4 [4.9–5.9] 3.8 [3.5–4.1], (mean [95% confidence interval]). For groups, obtained procedure rest did not differ. strong correlation between nurses' patients' VRS-4 (rs = 0.67, P < 0.001). At procedures, 98% observations rated as acceptable (VRS 1 or 2) by During 16% lower 12% observations. CONCLUSION: The valid measuring procedures. Thus, noncommunicative it may be regarded bridge observational scale used who are able to self-report pain. Published ahead print November 6, 2009