Brain-wave monitor fine-tunes anesthesia doses
Two years ago, a technology made its debut for translating electroencephalogram (EEG) readings into useful assessments of a surgical patient’s hypnotic state. In some organizations, it has significantly shortened the cycle from completion of surgery to the patient’s departure from ambulatory and inpatient care.
The tool is the Bispectral Index (BIS), developed by Natick, MA-based Aspect Medical Systems Inc. It gives anesthesiologists a way to monitor a patient’s level of consciousness, or depth of hypnotic state during surgery. Using that data, they can customize anesthesia. BIS offers higher precision in titrating anesthetics than conventional methods of monitoring vital signs and administering standard doses based on the patient’s size, age, or health status.
The BIS Index helps to prevent the problem of too much or too little anesthesia. With just the right dose, patients recover faster. Further, anesthesia drug savings can amount to $5 to $20 per case, according to Paul Manberg, PhD, vice president of clinical, regulatory, and quality assurance at Aspect Medical Systems.
Description
The BIS monitoring process translates brain waves into values reflecting the hypnotic state during surgery. The EEG signals are captured through a sensor placed on the patient’s forehead. The readings display on a 3-pound, portable screen unit (7 inches by 6.8 inches) that mounts on an IV pole or lies on a flat surface.
Clinical trials show that patients anesthetized with the aid of BIS monitoring are more likely to bypass phase I of the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU).
Range of uses
The uses range from complex cardiac surgeries to short outpatient procedures. The BIS Monitor is in use in more than 620 facilities including Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and Community Hospitals Indianapolis (CHI). At CHI, fast-tracking, made possible by the BIS Monitor, has been key to designing a new surgery center without a phase I PACU. Each patient will move to a private room immediately following surgery.
Costs
The BIS Monitor sells for $8,900. BIS Sensors are $15.00 each. Volume discounts are available.
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