Sample Emergency Department Policy for Pediatric Procedural Sedation and Analgesia

Resource Overview

• Provided as a sample ED policy outlining standardized procedures for pediatric procedural sedation, including preparation, intra-procedure monitoring, and post-procedure recovery to ensure patient safety.
• Covers informed consent, weight-based medication dosing, room setup, dedicated personnel roles, continuous monitoring (pulse oximetry, capnography, hemodynamics), and early recognition of adverse events.
• Includes recovery and discharge criteria, caregiver education, documentation standards, quality monitoring, and quarterly review recommendations.

How to Use This Resource

• Apply to guide ED staff in safe, developmentally appropriate procedural sedation practices, ensuring compliance with national guidelines and institutional policies.
• Integrate into staff training, procedural checklists, and interdisciplinary workflows to prevent adverse events and ensure rapid intervention if complications occur.
• Use for quality assurance, monitoring compliance with monitoring intervals, ETCO₂ utilization, rescue interventions, and adverse event reporting.