The peer-reviewed journal Pain Management Nursing has published the results of an observational study exploring the utilization of NOL® monitoring to assess pain response levels experienced by mechanically ventilated patients in the ICU (intensive care unit). The study has found that the NOL index can identify and quantify different levels of painful stimuli (such as endotracheal suctioning procedures) in these patients.
“This study has demonstrated the potential value of NOL monitoring in a new setting – in the ICU,” says Medasense Founder & CEO, Galit Zuckerman-Stark. “Patients undergoing invasive ventilation are treated with pain medication; but getting the doses right can be critical for faster recovery. Too little medication may lead to agitation and patient-ventilator asynchrony – which may result in severe hypoxia and even death; and too much may result in further respiratory depression, prolonged ventilation, a longer weaning period and extended recovery time.”