Chapter 20 - Sedation in the office/outpatient setting

Summary

This chapter covers the individual responsibilities of periprocedural team members and requirements unique to sedation in the office/outpatient setting. The procedural team functioning far from immediate assistance must be highly skilled and experienced. Safe sedation includes selection of appropriate procedures and patients and the development of a sedation plan which includes the procedure itself, and the recovery period and criteria for discharge. An appropriate policy and procedure should be developed, based on National Patient Safety Goals and Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) recommendations. This should cover all aspects of the practice. Patients need to be pre-evaluated to screen for criteria that contraindicate procedures under sedation, particularly in the office/outpatient setting. The plan for sedation must be made according to the type and length of the procedure, using rapid-onset and short-acting agents. Development of a contingency plan is critical in a location distant from immediate aid.