Conscious Sedation Simulation

I'm assuming that you are providing training for nurses who will be responsible for monitoring patients receiving CS? Sim is a wonderful method for this! You're luck to have access to such a great learning venue. I would suggest that you also include anesthesiologists in your planning process (and document!) , as this will meet both Joint Commission & CMS requirements.

I'd suggest that you start with 'normal' - routine patient, then throw in some common abnormal findings such as dropping sat, arrhythmia, etc. Be sure to include communication with the physician as part of the scenario - dealing with a grumpy doc or one that wants to cut corners. It can be fun to run a scenario with something really off the wall, but I've found that it's not really valuable because of the rarity with which it occurs.

I would be nice to make some teaching materials that can be reviewed after class that go over the basics like meds, reversal meds, using ETCO2 and tubing, sedation scales (Aldrete, etc). I am moderate sedation certified for a requirement of my job but rarely use it meaning it would be very nice to have had some resources from the class we take every two years to review when needed. I work as a floor nurse in a hospital setting, did about 4 hours hands on training with EGD's and colonoscopy's, after a 2 hour review/initial class, and really would only use moderate sedation for things like emergent chest tubes or cardio versions on the floor. Oh yeah, showing your nurses how to look up which MD's are able to give orders or are cleared to do bedside moderate sedation is helpful as well. You make a PowerPoint, I would love to read it!

Thanks you two! Your feedback is helping tremendously and I will post the link to my project once I finish the "take home" teaching materials you mentioned.