A Study of Correlation between Ramsay “Sedation Level” Scale and Richmond “Agitation–Sedation” Scale and Physiological Parameters to Determine the Need for Sedation in Patients Undergoing Mechanical Ventilation, 2013

Marzieh Seidabady¹, Malahat Nikravan Mofrad²* and Farid Zayeri³

¹M.S. in Intensive Care Nursing, The International Branch of Shahid Behesti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Tehran, Iran. ²PhD in Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty Instructor, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran. ³PhD in Biostatistics, Department of Statistics, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

ABSTRACT: “Ramsay” scale is currently used to determine the level of sedation in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. This scale has advantages and disadvantages. The present study aims to investigate the correlation between the scores obtained from Ramsay “Sedation Level” Scale and Richmond “Agitation–Sedation” Scale and physiological parameters to determine the need for sedation in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. This study was conducted on 100 patients undergoing mechanical ventilation using purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient, regression analyses and descriptive statistics. There was a significant positive correlation between the scores of Richmond “scale” and physiological parameters (respiration, heart rate and blood pressure). There was a significant negative relationship between the scores of Ramsay “scale” and two physiological parameters, i.e. respiration rate and blood pressure. There was an intense and inverse correlation between Ramsay and Richmond scales (r=0.907) (p<0.001). Considering the high correlation between Richmond scale and components of physiological parameters compared to Ramsay scale, this instrument is an appropriate scale to measure the level of sedation in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU).

KEYWORDS: Sedation; Ramsay “Sedation Level” Scale; Richmond “Agitation-Sedation” Scale

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