Bispectral Index Monitoring Enables "Fast-Tracking" in Ambulatory Surgery Center, Study Finds

DALLAS (PROTEXT) - Researchers at Harvard Medical School Replicate Controlled Clinical Trial Findings in Study of Routine Practice Researchers from Harvard Medical School have found that use of Bispectral Index(R) (BIS(R)) monitoring in routine practice enables at least 35 percent of patients to be "fast-tracked" after surgery. These findings will be presented today in a poster session at the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) in Dallas. Fast-tracking is a process by which ambulatory surgical care is optimized and streamlined, enabling eligible patients to return home more rapidly. Surgical teams utilize advanced anesthetic drugs and medical devices in a fast-tracking protocol, with the goal of having patients more alert at the end of surgery. This allows them to bypass the traditional, intensive care-like recovery room (called a Phase 1 Post Anesthesia Care Unit, or PACU), proceed directly to a less intensive post- anesthesia recovery area (the Phase 2 PACU), and be eligible for discharge from the healthcare facility more quickly. Many hospitals are employing BIS monitoring as an enabling technology for fast-tracking. The device allows anesthesiologists to better customize anesthesia for each patient, facilitating reduced drug use, faster and more predictable patient wake-up times after surgery, and improved patient recovery from anesthesia. "BIS monitoring, combined with modern anesthetic drugs and techniques, enabled us to decrease Phase 1 PACU admissions and reduce overall length of stay, resulting in fewer hours utilized in PACU," said James B. Mayfield, M.D., Associate Director of Ambulatory Anesthesia and Recovery Services at Massachusetts General Hospital and an Instructor in Anesthesia at Harvard Medical School. According to Dr. Mayfield, who was the lead investigator on the study, fast-tracking allows for rapid discharge without compromising patient safety or satisfaction. "We were conservative when establishing bypass criteria, since we wanted to ensure patient care and satisfaction weren't jeopardized in the process of streamlining the recovery process," Dr. Mayfield said, noting that none of the fast-tracked patients reported being dissatisfied. "In fact, fast-tracked patients reported positive surgical experiences, commenting that they appreciated the relaxed atmosphere in our Phase 2 recovery lounge and the ability to go home quickly." The results of this real-world study mirror results achieved in controlled clinical trials. "Research conducted in such trials has shown that the use of BIS monitoring enables more than 40 percent of patients to be eligible for fast-tracking," said Paul Manberg, Ph.D., Vice President of Clinical, Regulatory, and Quality Assurance at Aspect Medical Systems, the developer of BIS technology. "The Harvard study demonstrates that equivalent results can be achieved in routine practice." While the study was not designed to evaluate the economics of fast-tracking, the researchers estimate that savings from fast- tracking may exceed the costs for acquiring and maintaining the monitors. Further research is underway to examine the cost- benefit associated with employing BIS monitoring in a fast- tracking protocol. A copy of the abstract is available upon request and on the World Wide Web at www.asa-abstracts.com. Additionally, a video case study examining fast-tracking is airing in major conference hotels during the ASA and is available upon request by contacting Aspect Medical Systems. About BIS Monitoring Developed in collaboration with leading anesthesiologists, BIS technology uses patented signal processing to provide a noninvasive, direct means of measuring the effects of anesthetics on the brain. BIS monitors use a sensor placed on the forehead to capture the EEG signals, which are translated into a single number ranging from 100 (for wide awake) to zero (indicating the absence of brain electrical activity). To date, more than 350 scientific publications from trials document the efficacy and clinical outcome benefits of BIS monitoring. Since its commercial introduction in October 1996, more than 450 healthcare facilities nationwide have adopted the BIS monitor. BIS technology is available in Aspect's A-2000(TM) BIS monitor and has been licensed for integration into other manufacturers' monitoring systems. About Aspect Medical Systems Aspect Medical Systems, Inc. is a privately held medical technology company that develops noninvasive monitoring systems to improve the cost effectiveness and quality of patient care. The company's systems utilize innovative, patented, digital signal processing software linked to proprietary sensors. For more information, visit the company's web site at http://www.aspectms.com. Bispectral Index and BIS are registered trademarks of Aspect Medical Systems, Inc. A-2000 is a trademark of Aspect Medical Systems, Inc. ots Original Text Service: Aspect Medical Systems, Inc. Internet: http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact: Lorie Fiber, 310-577-7870, ext. 109, lfiber@fischerpr.com, or Joni Morford, 310-577-7870, ext. 153, jmorford@fischerpr.com, both of Fischer & Partners, Inc., for Aspect Medical Systems, Inc. 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