ACEP published Clinical Policy on Procedural Sedation and Analgesia in the Emergency Department in Feb 2014. as usual critical questions and very useful answers. Let’s review them:
1. In patients undergoing procedural sedation and analgesia in the emergency department, does preprocedural fasting demonstrate a reduction in the risk of emesis or aspiration?
Level B recommendations. Do not delay procedural sedation in adults or pediatrics in the ED based on fasting time. Preprocedural fasting for any duration has not demonstrated a reduction in the risk of emesis or aspiration when administering procedural sedation and analgesia.
2. In patients undergoing procedural sedation and analgesia in the emergency department, does the routine use of capnography reduce the incidence of adverse respiratory events?
Level B recommendations. Capnography* may be used as an adjunct to pulse oximetry and clinical assessment to detect hypoventilation and apnea earlier than pulse oximetry and/or clinical assessment alone in patients undergoing procedural sedation and analgesia in the ED.
*Capnography includes all forms of quantitative exhaled carbon dioxide analysis.
3. In patients undergoing procedural sedation and analgesia in the emergency department, what is the minimum number of personnel necessary to manage complications?
Level C recommendations. During procedural sedation and analgesia, a nurse or other qualified individual should be present for continuous monitoring of the patient, in addition to the provider performing the procedure. Physicians who are working or consulting in the ED should coordinate procedures requiring procedural sedation and analgesia with the ED staff.
4. In patients undergoing procedural sedation and analgesia in the emergency department, can ketamine, propofol, etomidate, dexmedetomidine, alfentanil, and remifentanil be safely administered?
Level A recommendations. Ketamine can be safely administered to children for procedural sedation and analgesia in the ED. Propofol can be safely administered to children and adults for procedural sedation and analgesia in the ED.
Level B recommendations. Etomidate can be safely administered to adults for procedural sedation and analgesia in the ED. A combination of propofol and ketamine can be safely administered to children and adults for procedural sedation and analgesia.
Level C recommendations. Ketamine can be safely administered to adults for procedural sedation and analgesia in the ED. Alfentanil can be safely administered to adults for procedural sedation and analgesia in the ED. Etomidate can be safely administered to children for procedural sedation and analgesia in the ED.
Link to Policy on ACEP website