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Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS)

Standardised assessment of sedation and agitation depth.

Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS)
Observed level
ResultRASS 0

Alert and calm. Light sedation targets (0 to -2) are commonly preferred for ventilated patients.

When to use

  • Titrating sedation in mechanically ventilated or ICU patients.
  • Establishing arousal level before delirium screening (e.g. CAM-ICU).

Formula

Single ordinal assessment from +4 (combative) to -5 (unarousable), with 0 = alert and calm.

References

  1. Sessler CN, et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2002;166(10):1338-1344.