Conscious Sedation Recoveries

[TexNurse]

I have a question- when ED sends a patient to EGD, and the patient receives conscious sedation, do you receive the patient back immediately afterwards to do the recovery? Our hospital has started this practice on weekends. Last week I had a guy go to EGD, received 100 of Fentanyl and 5 of Versed. The supervisor told me I would get the patient back AFTER recovery for discharge. I got the patient back 15 MINUTES after the drugs were given.

My supervisor says that having to watch the guy closely for 1 hour, monitoring him, and checking VS q 15 (Not to mention making sure he is BREATHING) is not a recovery. I don't think this is an appropriate practice!

I am in charge, I have my own patient load (work nights) and have no idea what is coming in the door next. Haven't they ever heard of calling in recovery? Oh, I forgot. They might have to PAY for it. Anyone else see this as a ridiculous practice?

[CMERN]

o!!!wonderful Narcan..its half life is shorter than the meds used to put the patient under:chair:....well, actually Ive never used narcan in C.S. unless the pts in trouble.... Used it for Heroin O.D,s tho....Whew...one MAD MAN does wake up....makes me WANNA Conscious sedate 'em....... :roll

[Brownms46]

I worked in a GI special procedures unit, and did the admissions, prep with IV start and IVPB/flds. I also recovered them and d/c'd to home, after the MD reviewed his findings with them. This unit was part of a clinic inside the hospital. When EGDs, Colons, and ERCPs needed to be done after hours, the on call nurse would come in, assist the MD, reover the pt. and clean the scopes, and go back home. Problem was...that same on call nurse would have to be at work the next day for the whole entire day also.