Sedation for Interventional Techniques

Sedation for painful procedures can now be delivered safely and effectively in nonhospital environments by non-anesthesiologist providers. The availability of short-acting sedatives for sedation, reversal agents, and noninvasive monitoring equipment has greatly improved the safety and effectiveness of procedural sedation; and this has been extended to more, and more complex, outpatient procedures. While many different types of providers can administer sedation, familiarity with the medications, monitoring devices, and following guidelines are all essential for patient safety. In interventional pain practice, the use of procedural sedation must be individualized based on the characteristics of the patient and the planned procedure. The changing landscape of reimbursement for procedural sedation has also shaped clinical practice and needs to be understood by the interventional pain specialist.