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(Conscious Sedation)
What is Moderate Sedation / Analgesia?
Moderate
or conscious sedation induces an altered state of
consciousness that minimizes pain and discomfort by the use
of pain relievers and sedatives. usually, patients are able
to speak and respond to verbal cues throughout the
procedure, and can still communicate any discomfort they
experience.
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Effects of Moderate Sedation /
Analgesia
Moderate
sedation allows patients to recover quickly and resume
normal daily activities in a brief period of time. This type
of sedation might also cause a brief period of amnesia that
may erase any memory of the procedure.
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Candidates for Moderate Sedation /
Analgesia
Moderate
sedation is administered to facilitate procedures such as
breast biopsy, vasectomy, minor foot surgery, minor bone
fracture repair, plastic/reconstructive surgery, dental
prosthetic/reconstructive surgery and endoscopy (diagnostic studies and treatment of
stomach, colon and bladder).
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Your
Consultation
Procedures for moderate sedation do not usually require
pre-operative or pre-testing orders. Clinical situations for
moderate sedation would normally involve eating and drinking
protocols starting the day before the procedure.
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The Moderate Sedation / Analgesia
Procedure
Moderate
sedation is achieved by administering pharmacological agents
commonly through an intravenous (IV). Medications may also
be given orally, rectally, intramuscular, subcutaneously or
nasally. The medicine used would depend on the type,
duration and intensity of the procedure.
The patient should be continuously monitored from the start
of moderate sedation until the time for discharge. The
baseline vital signs, oxygen saturation level, heart-rate,
rhythm and level of consciousness are the minimum assessment
parameters obtained and documented before the sedation
process. The patient should be monitored at 5-minute
intervals during the procedure; and at 5 to 15 minute
intervals during the recovery phase, and also at any
significant event in either phase.
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Recovery
The
patient will receive post-operative care instructions to
take home. Patients should not attempt to drive a vehicle,
operate dangerous equipment or make any important decisions
for at least 24 hours after moderate sedation.
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Risks
A short
period of amnesia after the procedure may follow the
administration of moderate sedation. The occasional side
effects may include headache, hangover, nausea and vomiting
or unpleasant memories of the surgical experience.
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Frequently Asked
Questions
Q: What
is conscious sedation?
A:
Conscious sedation, also known as moderate or procedural
sedation, is a higher level of sedation that is usually
provided for office procedures, dental procedures,
radiologic procedures such as CT scans and MRI, etc. With
this type of sedation, the patients appear sedated when you
look at them, but they are able to respond to stimuli (such
as verbal questioning).
Q: Who
can administer moderate sedation?
A:
Qualified
providers should administer moderate sedation to ensure that
it will be safe. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists,
anesthesiologists, other physicians, dentists, and oral
surgeons are qualified providers of moderate sedation.
Specifically trained Registered Nurses may help in the
administration of moderate sedation.
Q: Who
should monitor moderate sedation?
A:
Because
patients can slip into a deep sleep, proper monitoring of
conscious sedation is necessary. Healthcare providers
monitor patient heart rate, blood pressure, breathing,
oxygen level and alertness throughout and after the
procedure. The provider who monitors the patient receiving
conscious sedation should have no other responsibilities
during the procedure and should remain with the patient at
all times during the procedure.
Q: Is
moderate sedation safe?
A:
Moderate
sedation is a safe and effective option for patients
undergoing minor surgeries or diagnostic procedures. The
number and type of procedures that can be performed using
moderate sedation have greatly increased as a result of new
technology and state of the art drugs.
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