Back to Basics: Procedural Sedation

Patients undergoing surgery frequently receive procedural sedation from RNs in the perioperative setting. With appropriate training, perioperative RNs can administer procedural sedation safely and effectively, helping to eliminate the pain and anxiety often experienced by patients. Facility sedation protocols should provide guidance on training requirements, the RN's role, the credentialing process, the medications the RN may use, and when anesthesia personnel should be consulted. Creating these protocols is guided by state scope of practice laws, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Interpretive Guidelines, and accreditation requirements. Training, physician guidance, and appropriate protocols give the necessary support for perioperative nurses to provide safe and effective procedural sedation.