Conscious Sedation

Minimal SedationO In this drug induced state, the

patient may have cognitive function and coordination impaired while ventilatory and cardiovascular functions are not affected

O The patient responds normally to verbal command and protective reflexes remain intact

Moderate Sedation and Analgesia

O The patient develops a drug induced depression of consciousness while responding purposefully to verbal and or light tactile stimulation

O Protective reflexes remain intact with adequate spontaneous ventilation.

O Cardiovascular function is usually unchanged

AnesthesiaO General or regional anesthesia are

included in this categoryO The drug induced state during

general anesthesia produces a state where patients are not arousal and may require ventilation and airway maintenance.

O There may be an impairment of cardiovascular function.

Pre-ProcedureO Physician evaluation of the clinically relevant

portions of the recommendations outline in policy statements #4 and #5

O Patient education including the use of sedation and analgesic

O IV access may be established at the ed physician discretion

O Equipment in the room is to include: BVM, wall suction and tubing, nasal cannula, o2 flow meter, cardiac monitor, blood pressure monitor, o2 pulse ox, Narran, Romazicon (a conscious sedation cart is stored in materials and is available if needed)

Equipment to Have Immediately Available

O Crash cartO Defibrillator

Vital SignsO Obtain a complete set of vital signs

BEFORE beginning the procedureO Oxygen saturation O Complete baseline patient

assessment using the modified Aldrete Score

During the ProcedureO Medications and therapeutic

interventions must be administered by physician order

O Physician signature on sedation and analgesia record authenticates order for medications or may be written on a physician order sheet.

Monitor:O O2 saturation and heart rate per pulse

oximeterO Blood PressureO Respiratory RateO EKG in patients with significant

cardiovascular disease or when dysrhythmias are anticipated or detected or at the discretion of the physician or RN

O Report changes in patient’s condition ASAP if less then pre-procedure baseline

Post-ProcedureO Vital signs are recorded

O Prior to procedureO Every 5 minutes x3 following each

administration of a sedative/analgesic agent

O Then every 15 minutes during the procedure or until base-line is achieved, the patient is stable, or for minimum of 2 hours if a reversal agent was used

Recovery PeriodO If the patient’s Aldete score decreases or is less than

the baseline, other complications are assessed and the physician MUST be notified

O This includes the o2 sat less than pre-procedure or less than or equal to 90%, dyspnea, apnea or hypoventilation, diaphoresis, inability to arouse the patient, the need to maintain the airway mechanically or other untoward unexpected responses

O If the patient’s score has not reached 8 or returned to baseline within 30 minutes of the last administered drug (including reversal agents) the physician MUST be notified and monitoring continued

Discharge CriteriaO The patient may be returned to their room or

appropriate area, resume routine nursing care or discharged home when the following criteria is met:O The modified Aldrete score is greater than 8 or

has returned to baselineO The o2 sat is 92% or greater on room air or home

o2 or return to baselineO No reversal agents have been utilized. If a

reversal was used the patient must be monitored for a MINUMUM of 2 hours post-administration of the reversal regardless of the Aldrete score.

InstructionsO Any discharge instructions related to

the procedure, test, medication given and any restrictions

O If returning to a nursing home, report must be called to the appropriate facility and include any previous orders to resume or new orders