Initiating a Hospital-Wide Pediatric Sedation Service Provided by Emergency Physicians

Advanced diagnostic procedures, imaging studies, and therapeutic procedures have combined to substantially increase the need for pediatric sedation. The objective of this study is to describe the initiation of a hospital-wide (nonemergency department) pediatric deep sedation service provided by pediatric emergency physicians. This article describes a consecutive cohort of pediatric patients undergoing deep sedation provided by a new hospital sedation service (excluding the emergency department). The results of 133 pediatric deep sedations are described. Propofol was used for most sedations. Mean infusion times were 55 minutes for MRI scans and 13 minutes for heme-oncology procedures. The risk of adverse events was low. This case series of pediatric deep sedation patients describes the initiation of a hospital-wide pediatric sedation service utilizing pediatric emergency physicians, which has resulted in improved patient care, and improved financial performance of several hospital units. The risk of adverse events is low if proper precautions are taken.