Paediatrics & child health
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Paediatr Child Health · Oct 2003
Procedural sedation and analgesia for paediatric patients in the emergency department.
Children presenting to the emergency department (ED) often require sedation for brief procedures such as fracture and dislocation reductions, laceration repairs, and imaging procedures that are painful, anxiety provoking or both. This article presents three cases of paediatric patients who require sedation and/or analgesia, and summarizes important aspects of procedural sedation for the primary care practitioner in the emergency setting. ⋯ Emphasis is placed on indications, contraindications, dosing, timing and advantages and disadvantages of each. Reversal agents are mentioned, and discharge criteria are outlined.