Covidien,
a leading global provider of healthcare products and recognized
innovator in patient monitoring and respiratory care devices, today
announced that the UK-based National Institute for Health and Clinical
Excellence (NICE) recommends the use of electroencephalography
(EEG)-based monitors, specifically the Bispectral Index (BIS™) monitor,
as an option for measuring depth of anaesthesia.
The recommendation specifies that the BIS monitor should be used with
all patients receiving total intravenous anaesthesia and during any type
of general anaesthesia with patients considered at high risk of adverse
outcomes. This includes patients at high risk of unintended awareness
and patients at high risk of excessively deep anaesthesia. The Covidien
BIS Brain Monitoring System helps clinicians assess patient
consciousness levels through electrical activity in the brain.
The NICE guidance specifically recommends the BIS system as an option in
the care of patients at high risk for unintended awareness
(consciousness) or excessively deep anaesthesia levels during surgery.
Both can lead to serious short- and long-term health risks, including
post-traumatic stress disorder, heart attack, and stroke and in older
patients, cognitive dysfunction or “brain fog.”
Patients at high risk for unintended awareness include older patients as
well as those with morbid obesity, poor cardiovascular function,
presence of two or more chronic diseases, high opiate or alcohol use,
intravenous anaesthesia techniques and certain types of surgical
procedures.
The recommendation for BIS monitoring as an option in patients receiving
total intravenous anaesthesia was made because it is cost effective and
because it is not possible to measure anaesthetic concentration in these
patients.
“The NICE assessment and recommendations provide clear guidance to
anaesthesia professionals regarding the use of depth of anaesthesia
monitoring that will greatly improve patient care and safety for
individuals at higher risk for adverse reactions to general
anaesthesia,” said Scott Kelley, M.D., Chief Medical Officer,
Respiratory and Monitoring Solutions, Covidien. “With BIS brain
monitoring technology, anaesthetists, in combination with their other
standard practices, can accurately determine consciousness and tailor
anaesthesia dosing to ensure optimal patient experience and minimize
risks.”
The NICE Diagnostics Guidance is based on extensive clinical evidence
and an assessment report prepared by the University of Southampton’s
Southampton Health Technology Assessment Centre and input from a number
of professional organisations and device manufacturers. Other brain
monitoring technologies assessed as part of the clinical research
include the GE Healthcare E-Entropy and Schiller Narcotrend-Compact M.
ABOUT COVIDIEN
Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that creates
innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes and delivers
value through clinical leadership and excellence. Covidien manufactures,
distributes and services a diverse range of industry-leading product
lines in three segments: Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals and Medical
Supplies. With 2012 revenue of $11.9 billion, Covidien has 43,000
employees worldwide in 70 countries, and its products are sold in over
140 countries. Please visit www.covidien.com
to learn more about our business.
Contact :
CONTACTS :
Covidien
Rhonda Luniak, 303-305-2263
Vice President
R&MS Communications
rhonda.luniak@covidien.com
or
Bruce Farmer, 508-452-4372
Vice President
Public Relations
bruce.farmer@covidien.com
or
Coleman Lannum, CFA, 508-452-4343
Vice President
Investor Relations
cole.lannum@covidien.com
or
Todd Carpenter, 508-452-4363
Director
Investor Relations
todd.carpenter@covidien.com
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