A pilot study of high frequency accelerometry-based sedation and agitation monitoring in critically ill patients

Abstract

Objective: The degree of sedation or agitation in critically ill patients is typically assessed with the Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale (RASS). However, this approach is intermittent and subject to unrecognised variation between assessments. High frequency accelerometry may assist in achieving a quantitative and continuous assessment of sedation while heralding imminent agitation. Design: We undertook a prospective, observational pilot study. Setting: An adult tertiary intensive care unit in Melbourne, Australia. Participants: 20 patients with an admission diagnosis of trauma. Main outcome measures: Accelerometers were applied to patients' wrists and used to continuously record pa..