Developing a moderate sedation policy: essential elements and evidence-based considerations

Developing an institutional policy for moderate sedation is a multidisciplinary effort that should involve close collaboration among clinicians, administrators, and risk managers. A variety of health care providers administer moderate sedation. Sedation policy should address essential elements, such as clinician training and credentialing, equipment, preprocedure evaluation, periprocedure patient monitoring, postprocedure observation and discharge, pharmaceutical agents, and outcomes assessment. Sedation policy should comply with local, state, and national guidelines and standards. Furthermore, sedation policy should be evidence based to incorporate the latest information about best practices and outcomes. Advances in pharmacology, monitoring, medication delivery systems, and simulation training can help improve quality of care and patient safety in the administration of moderate sedation.