Tag: Sedation scale

In adult intensive care units, over one-third of mechanically ventilated patients may experience over-sedation during the first 48 hours, demonstrating a critical need for accurate assessment tools. A standardized sedation scale, most prominently the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS), is the fundamental tool healthcare providers use to objectively evaluate a patient's level of consciousness and agitation.

According to a 2020 study, the implementation of a mandated Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale (RASS) entry for ventilated patients reduced the median number of mechanical ventilation days by 31%. The use of a sedation scoring scale is a standardized, validated method used by healthcare professionals to assess a patient's level of consciousness and manage agitation or sedation in clinical settings, particularly intensive care units (ICUs).