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. 2006 Sep;23(9):684-6.
doi: 10.1136/emj.2006.035220.

Sedation practice in a Scottish teaching hospital emergency department

R A Duncan  1 , L Symington, S Thakore
Affiliations

Sedation practice in a Scottish teaching hospital emergency department

R A Duncan et al. Emerg Med J. 2006 Sep.

Abstract

Objectives: To conduct a prospective survey in a teaching hospital emergency department to evaluate performance according to safe sedation principles, to establish the demographics of those sedated, and to review the drugs used and doses given to patients in the department. Any adverse events were reviewed for identification of preventable causes.

Methods: Pre-sedation checklists, peri-procedural observations, and patient notes were reviewed for 101 cases from 4 December 2004 to 3 September 2005. There are departmental guidelines outlining the principles of safe sedation.

Results: Emergency department procedural sedation was performed for a variety of acute conditions in patients aged from 7 to 91 years old. A variety of sedation agents were administered, morphine and midazolam being used most frequently. Drug administration, maximum sedation level, and time to recovery and discharge were recorded. Four adverse events were reported, none of which were clinically significant. Departmental guidelines were followed.

Conclusion: Emergency department sedation is a safe and effective procedure if appropriately trained practitioners follow the principles of safe sedation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: none declared

Comment in

  • Sedate with caution.
    Lutz JM, de Mello WF. Lutz JM, et al. Emerg Med J. 2007 Jan;24(1):69. Emerg Med J. 2007. PMID: 17183059 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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