Special topics in procedural sedation: Clinical challenges and psychomotor recovery

摘要

GI endoscopy is often performed by using procedural sedation to reduce patient anxiety, discomfort, and memory of what is at best an unpleasant experience. When the patient is comfortable, nurses can focus on patient safety while the endoscopist focuses on the technical details of the procedure, which together likely improve the overall outcome. With sedation, the procedure also is associated with greater patient and doctor satisfaction and with greater patient compliance with endoscopic screening programs. However, sedation is not without costs for the endoscopy unit and for society. Societal costs in part relate to the psychomotor effects of sedation, which include impaired physical and mental abilities (eg, to drive a car or make important decisions).