METHODS FOR MONITORING THE LEVEL OF SEDATION

Sedative drugs commonly are titrated to effect in critically ill patie nts. Subjective clinical assessment tools are used to determine the pa tient's level of sedation, and there clearly is a need for improved qu antitative methods of monitoring sedation. This article describes the current methods for assessing the level of sedation in critically ill patients and discusses the potential role of neurophysiologic monitori ng using processed electroencephalograms and evoked potentials.