Conscious Sedation Training

[NurseStelri]

Hi everyone!

I am creating a simulation class on Conscious Sedation for nurses and wanted some input from those of you who have trained others in conscious sedation. How do you guys train for this? At our hospital we just have the floor RNs come and shadow the CRNA for an hour or so (which is why we are changing to this SIM class).

I am following a CRNA this week to get training and a better idea of what is vital to include. Additionally I have the national guidelines and research data but I love getting feedback from those who teach a similar course or have taken one. What areas need the most focus: charting, medications, H&P, etc...thanks in advance!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

You might want to start with your nurse practice act. Heres the AANA position paper:

http://www.aana.com/resources2/professionalpractice/Documents/PPM%20Consid%204.2%20RNs%20Engaged%20in%20Sedation%20Analgesia.pdf

And AACN also has a position paper as well as ENA.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

You should always start with a focused assessment of your patient i.e. how is this procedure and the patient's current medical status going to effect my ability to provide sedation.

The most important thing when giving sedation is the ability to manage an airway (chin-lift, jaw thrust, and bag valve mask) you don't need to be able to intubate someone for moderate sedation, but there should be someone in the nearby vicinity that is proficient with advanced airway management (anesthesia providers, ER physicians etc) in case something goes wrong. Then you really need to know and understand the medications you will be giving, how those medications will interact with each other and the patient, and how to tell if patient is under moderate sedation or deep sedation.