Measuring Depth of Unconsciousness at the End of Life Using Bispectral Index (BIS)

The purpose of this study is to use the BIS monitor to assess the degree of consciousness in pre-terminal palliative patients admitted to our palliative care unit and to ascertain if this tool provides a more accurate assessment of consciousness in this specific group of patients than clinical observation of consciousness and the use of sedation scales. We hypothesize that the measured BIS results provide a more accurate assessment of the patient's level of consciousness than routine clinical observation or the use of sedation scales.