THE USE OF MIDAZOLAM WITH PULSE OXIMETRY IN THE DRUG-ASSISTED INTERVIEW

Background: The drug-assisted interview appears to be declining in psy chiatric practice. This decline may be due in part to complexities in the use of barbiturates, which have a narrow therapeutic index. Method : Five patients who had depression and/or posttraumatic stress disorde r underwent drug-assisted interviews for which midazolam and pulse oxi metry monitoring were used. Results: The midazolam-pulse oximetry tech nique resulted in consistent and easily monitored levels of conscious sedation. Midazolam was judged comparably effective to amobarbital and easier to use. Conclusion: A simple, safe, and effective technique fo r drug-assisted interviewing for which midazolam and continuous pulse oximetry monitoring are used is described.