There are millions of medical procedures involving conscious or moderate sedation completed each year. In 2002, for example, there were 14.2 million colonoscopies performed. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, some of the moderate sedation procedures include:

• Breast biopsy
• Dental prosthetic or reconstructive surgery
• Minor bone fracture repair
• Minor foot surgery
• Minor skin surgery
• Plastic or reconstructive surgery
• Procedures to diagnose and treat some stomach (upper endoscopy), colon (colonoscopy), lung (bronchoscopy), and bladder (cystoscopy) conditions.

In order to ensure the safety of patients undergoing procedures requiring moderate sedation, in January 2016, the Association for Radiologic & Imaging Nursing (ARIN) issued a Position Statement on Use of Capnography for Patients Who Receive Moderate Sedation/Analgesia.
Continue reading “Keeping Patients Safe During Moderate Sedation” →