psychiatry emergency
Behavioral Activity Rating Scale (BARS)
7-point single-item scale for rapidly assessing sedation and agitation in clinical settings. Used to guide pharmacological management of acute agitation. Score 1 = difficult to arouse; score 4 = calm; score 7 = violently agitated.
References
- Swift RH et al. Validation of the Behavioral Activity Rating Scale (BARS): a novel measure of activity in agitated patients. J Psychiatr Res. 2002;36(2):87–95.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Drugs
- Propofol · Anaesthetic (IV Induction / Sedation)
- Ketamine (Anaesthesia/Sedation) · Dissociative Anaesthetic (NMDA Receptor Antagonist)
- Remimazolam · Ultra-Short Acting Benzodiazepine (Procedural Sedation)
- Labetalol (IV — Hypertensive Emergency) · Combined Alpha-1 and Beta-Adrenergic Blocker
- Pindolol · Non-selective β-blocker (with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity)
- Labetalol (IV — Hypertensive Emergency) · Combined alpha and beta blocker
Pathways
- Acute Behavioural Disturbance / Rapid Tranquillisation · RCEM 2022; RCPsych 2022; NICE NG10
- Self-Harm Presentation · NICE NG225 (2022)
- Capacity Assessment (Mental Capacity Act) · MCA 2005; Code of Practice
- Acute Psychosis Management · NICE CG178 2014
- Depression Management · NICE CG90 2022
- Lithium Therapy Monitoring · NICE CG185 / BNF
Decision support only — verify against MDCalc, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.