Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate simplicity and reliability of Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS) at the introduction period of the scale to our emergency and critical care department. Methods: All patients who were mechanically ventilated in the ICU were evaluated with RASS. For 6 months after introduction, RASS scores were compared between those evaluated by nurses in-charge and by educators, with weighted κ statistic. At the end of the data collection period, nurses were asked to answer a questionnaire on usage of RASS. Results: Fifty-nine patients were evaluated with RASS. Trauma was the most common diagnosis, followed by cardiac and gastrointestinal diseases. There was high agreement in RASS scores evaluated by nurses in-charge and by educators, with quite high weighted κ statistic (0.930) in 118 RASS evaluations. Most of answers by nurses to the questionnaire were affirmative to usage of RASS. Conclusions: RASS can be used accurately with a short preparation period. Nurses were able to understand necessity of sedation scales and look after patients became more confidently.
