🩹 Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS)
UseWhen to use: sedated/mechanically ventilated patients who cannot self-report.
StrataMany ICUs treat when BPS >5; reassess after analgesia.
LimitsWhen not to use: awake patients who can use NRS/FACES. · Pitfall: mistaking ventilator dyssynchrony solely as pain. · CPOT is an alternative behavioral tool.
SourcePayen JF et al. Crit Care Med 2001 (BPS)
This-shift next steps
After scoring: open the scene pack, peer scores, and the matching pathway. Local reference — no HIS write.
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Methodology · worked example, guidelines & full notes
Minimum 3.
When to use
When to use: sedated/mechanically ventilated patients who cannot self-report.
How it works
Face + upper limbs + ventilator compliance (each 1–4); total 3–12.
Key points
- Minimum 3.
- Often treat >5.
- Next: CPOT / analgesia trial.
References
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| Facial expression | 2 — Partially tightened (e.g. brow lowering) |
|---|---|
| Upper limb movements | 2 — Partially bent |
| Compliance with ventilation | 2 — Coughing but tolerating ventilation most of the time |
→BPS6/12
- Cue：Significant pain cue — treat & reassess
- Common treat threshold：Often intervene when BPS >5 (local SOP)
| Facial expression | 1 — Relaxed |
|---|---|
| Upper limb movements | 1 — No movement |
| Compliance with ventilation | 1 — Tolerating movement |
→BPS3/12
- Cue：No / minimal pain cue
- Common treat threshold：Often intervene when BPS >5 (local SOP)
Verification & sources · governance
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- Does Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) upload patient data? Where is it calculated?
- Calculation runs locally in the browser; inputs and results are not uploaded. For licensed clinicians only; interpret with history, investigations and local protocols — not a diagnosis or prescription.
- How is Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: Facial expression 2 — Partially tightened (e.g. brow lowering), Upper limb movements 2 — Partially bent, Compliance with ventilation 2 — Coughing but tolerating ventilation most of the time → Result: BPS 6 /12（Cue: Significant pain cue — treat & reassess, Common treat threshold: Often intervene when BPS >5 (local SOP)） Inputs: Facial expression 1 — Relaxed, Upper limb movements 1 — No movement, Compliance with ventilation 1 — Tolerating movement → Result: BPS 3 /12（Cue: No / minimal pain cue, Common treat threshold: Often intervene when BPS >5 (local SOP)）