Analgesia

Who Should Administer Conscious Sedation? Part Three: Sedation competence – MM1308

The previous article argued that competence to administer conscious sedation (CS) should move away from competence based on a practitioner’s specialty to competence based on skills and knowledge.

The UK’s General Dental Council says: “Dentists have a duty of care to administer conscious sedation only within the limits of their knowledge, training, skills and experience and healthcare professionals should have completed relevant postgraduate education and training and have clinical experience of the particular conscious sedation technique.” This principle is equally applicable outside dentistry, In fact, all international guidelines agree with the principles expressed above.

This article will outline the competence every sedation practitioner should have when he plans to administer CS.

Modern Medicine – August 2013

Who Should Administer Conscious Sedation? Part Two: Classes of Sedation Providers and the Importance of Training – MM1307

The role of anaesthetists and non-anaesthetists as sedation providers for this expanding need appears to be increasing.

Modern Medicine – July 2013

Who Should Administer Conscious Sedation Part One: What exactly is conscious sedation? – MM1306

In this three part series we discuss conscious sedation, a relatively young and increasingly popular technique of administering sedatives, analgesics, hypnotics or dissociative agents to induce a state that allows the patient to tolerate
unpleasant procedures while maintaining cardiorespiratory function and responsiveness.

Modern Medicine – June 2013