Nurse led sedation for paediatric MRI: progress and issues.
OBJECTIVE
This article describes the current magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sedation service, the role of the nurse sedationist, results of clinical audits, and future issues within MRI.


METHODS
Data from 2004 until 2006 were analysed to describe the percentage of children who were successfully sedated, and any complications. The recovery profile was investigated by a questionnaire of 100 consecutive cases.


RESULTS
Sedation was attempted in 455 cases with chloral hydrate, and 325 with temazepam and droperidol. The success rate was 97.4 and 92.6 per cent respectively. Top-up sedation was used in 10 and 29 per cent respectively. There were seven minor incidents but none required admission. Approximately 20 per cent of children were drowsy the following day.


CONCLUSIONS
We believe that the success of the service depends upon three main factors: the deselection of children in whom sedation is unsafe or likely to be unsuccessful, the use of appropriate drugs in limited doses, and the training of experienced nurses.
Woodthorpe
Claire
C
Department of Radiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK. claire.woodthorpe@kch.nhs.uk
Trigg
Angela
A
Alison
Gurney
G
Sury
Mike
M
D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002697:Chloral Hydrate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D004329:Droperidol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000451:nursing; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007318:Inservice Training; D007857:Leadership; D008131:London; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000451:nursing*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009731:Nursing Audit; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D012449:Safety; D013693:Temazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D002697:Chloral Hydrate; D013693:Temazepam; D004329:Droperidol