All patients must undergo pre-procedure assessment and risk stratification. This identifies patients at high risk of sedation-related adverse events so they can be referred to a more specialised sedation provider or facility.
Facilities should have locally agreed and supported protocols outlining which patients are appropriate candidates for sedation by non-critical care sedation providers.
Risk assessment and referral pathways to anaesthesia or critical care physician-led sedation should be determined locally. Some areas within hospitals, e.g. emergency departments, will have different levels of expertise routinely available and may be able to manage higher risk patients.
Assessment
Pre-sedation risk assessments underpin patient safety.
Risk stratification
Patients identified as high risk should be referred to more appropriate services.
Pre-procedural preparation
Properly preparing a patient for sedation is essential for a safe procedure.