Pupillary dilation reflex and behavioural pain scale: Study of diagnostic test.

Background: The objective of this study was to assess the value of the pupillary dilation reflex as an assessment pain tool in critically ill patients. It is important to continue working for the well-being and security of critically ill patients.

Methods: We studied the diagnostic accuracy of the pupillary dilation reflex against the Behavioral Pain Scale.

[Organization of the visits in an intensive coronary care unit: opinion of all the implied people].

Considering the present coexistence in our unit of different criteria that guide the rules and visits timetable of the relatives, the objective of this study is to know the opinion of all the implied people in the clinic relation (sanitary staff, patients and relatives), about the rules of the visit in our Coronary Unit to compare, discuss and bring the protocol unit up to date. This is an observational and transversal study in which 40 sanitary staff, 56 patients and 53 relatives have been surveyed. The study was developed in 2002, and a survey made by us was used to collect the next parameters: number and length of the visits, profits and troubles when the visit timetable is more flexible; opinion about the waiting room; and the convenience or not of using the mobile phone for the patient.