• Shikha Thakur, Tarandeep Kaur, Sukhpal Kaur, Hemant Bhagat, Sandhya Narayanan, Neerja Bhardwaj, and Jyotsna Wig.
• Department of Nursing, National Institute of Nursing Education, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Sector 12, Chandigarh, India.
• Indian J Anaesth. 2011 Nov 1; 55 (6): 563-6.

BackgroundBispectral index monitoring system (BIS) is one of the several systems used to measure the effects of anaesthetic and sedative drugs on the brain and to track changes in the patient's level of sedation and hypnosis. BIS monitoring provides information clinically relevant to the adjustment of dosages of sedating medication. It can help the nursing personnel in preventing under- and over sedation among intensive care unit (ICU) patients.ObjectiveThe present study was conducted to assess the knowledge of nursing personnel working in the ICU regarding BIS.MethodsFifty-four subjects participated in the study. A structured questionnaire was developed to assess the knowledge of the nursing personnel regarding BIS. Focus group discussions were held among the nursing personnel to know their views regarding BIS.ResultsMean age (years) of the subjects was 30.7±7.19 (21-47) years, with a female preponderance. Although the use of BIS in ICU is not common, majority (94.44%) were aware of BIS and its purpose. 79.62% of the subjects knew about its implication in patient care. The mean knowledge score of the subjects was 11.87±2.43 (maximum score being 15).ConclusionThere exists an awareness among the critical care nursing staff in our institution regarding BIS and its clinical implications. Its use in the critical care setting may benefit the patients in terms of providing optimal sedation.

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