1. Conscious Sedation

2. Minimal Sedation
In this drug induced state, the patient may have cognitive function and coordination impaired while ventilatory and cardiovascular functions are not affected
The patient responds normally to verbal command and protective reflexes remain intact

3. Moderate Sedation and Analgesia
The patient develops a drug induced depression of consciousness while responding purposefully to verbal and or light tactile stimulation
Protective reflexes remain intact with adequate spontaneous ventilation.
Cardiovascular function is usually unchanged

4. Anesthesia
General or regional anesthesia are included in this category
The drug induced state during general anesthesia produces a state where patients are not arousal and may require ventilation and airway maintenance.
There may be an impairment of cardiovascular function.

5. Pre-Procedure
Physician evaluation of the clinically relevant portions of the recommendations outline in policy statements #4 and #5
Patient education including the use of sedation and analgesic
IV access may be established at the ed physician discretion
Equipment in the room is to include: BVM, wall suction and tubing, nasal cannula, o2 flow meter, cardiac monitor, blood pressure monitor, o2 pulse ox, Narran, Romazicon (a conscious sedation cart is stored in materials and is available if needed)

6. Equipment to Have Immediately Available
Crash cart
Defibrillator

7. Vital Signs
Obtain a complete set of vital signs BEFORE beginning the procedure
Oxygen saturation
Complete baseline patient assessment using the modified Aldrete Score

8. During the Procedure
Medications and therapeutic interventions must be administered by physician order
Physician signature on sedation and analgesia record authenticates order for medications or may be written on a physician order sheet.

9. Monitor: O2 saturation and heart rate per pulse oximeter
Blood Pressure
Respiratory Rate
EKG in patients with significant cardiovascular disease or when dysrhythmias are anticipated or detected or at the discretion of the physician or RN
Report changes in patient’s condition ASAP if less then pre-procedure baseline

10. Post-Procedure Vital signs are recorded Prior to procedure
Every 5 minutes x3 following each administration of a sedative/analgesic agent
Then every 15 minutes during the procedure or until base-line is achieved, the patient is stable, or for minimum of 2 hours if a reversal agent was used

11. Recovery Period
If the patient’s Aldete score decreases or is less than the baseline, other complications are assessed and the physician MUST be notified
This includes the o2 sat less than pre-procedure or less than or equal to 90%, dyspnea, apnea or hypoventilation, diaphoresis, inability to arouse the patient, the need to maintain the airway mechanically or other untoward unexpected responses
If the patient’s score has not reached 8 or returned to baseline within 30 minutes of the last administered drug (including reversal agents) the physician MUST be notified and monitoring continued

12. Discharge Criteria
The patient may be returned to their room or appropriate area, resume routine nursing care or discharged home when the following criteria is met:
The modified Aldrete score is greater than 8 or has returned to baseline
The o2 sat is 92% or greater on room air or home o2 or return to baseline
No reversal agents have been utilized. If a reversal was used the patient must be monitored for a MINUMUM of 2 hours post-administration of the reversal regardless of the Aldrete score.

13. Instructions
Any discharge instructions related to the procedure, test, medication given and any restrictions
If returning to a nursing home, report must be called to the appropriate facility and include any previous orders to resume or new orders