title: The role of the nurse sedationist.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper aims to provide a quality improvement review to identify the benefits and level of satisfaction for the role of the nurse sedationists.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Traditionally procedural sedation was only administered by an anaesthetist or dentist and it was not until the early 1990s that nurses in America commenced administering procedural sedation. A literature review on the role of the nurse sedationist undertaken identified no documented evidence of such a role in Australia. The role of the nurse sedationist was pursued as a strategy to meet the increased demand for anaesthetic services, manage the shortage of anaesthetists and address concerns associated with the administration of procedural sedation by healthcare workers untrained in this area.
  
  
  METHODS
  Evaluation of the role of the nurse sedationist was essential to ensure that the role met both the needs of the organisation, patients and key stakeholders. Due to the variety of stakeholders and associated expectations a variety of evaluation methods were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicate that the introduction of the nurse sedationist role has been recognised as value adding through increases in patient safety, a more collaborative approach to patient care, improved work environments for all staff groups and strengthened multi disciplinary relationships. Patients also indicate a very high level of patient satisfaction with the service.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The role of nurse sedationist has been successfully introduced in an Australian acute public hospital. The introduction of the role has assisted to address an increased demand for anaesthetic services and to address patient safety concerns.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recent years have seen an expansion of advanced practice nursing roles throughout Australia. This expansion of roles has resulted in an increase in nursing expertise, high quality patient outcomes and an improved multidisciplinary approach to healthcare. The role of the nurse sedationist has been a result of expansion in this area.
authors.affiliation: Central Northern Adelaide Health Service, Australia. nicole.jones@health.sa.gov.au
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Leslye
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zeitz
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003479:Curriculum; D006801:Humans; D009719:Nurse Anesthetists / Q000193:education; D024802:Nurse's Role; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D058996:Quality Improvement