Endoscopy travel cases

[bramsey934]

I work for an Endoscopy unit in a hospital. Which means we are on call for emergency cases. We use conscious sedation (versed/fentanyl) given by endoscopy procedure RNs and when we use propofol it is given by CRNAs. Just curious how other endoscopy units handle their "travel" cases. When you go to the ICU/CCU or ER who sedates the patient? Currently we are sedating ICU patients--working on getting that changed to ICU RN sedating the patient when the pt is not already sedated.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Our bedside cases are only done on vented patients who are already sedated (usually a Propofol drip unless they've been sedated longterm- can't recall what they use for longterm vents). Everyone else comes to the endo procedure area, although those from critical care floors are accompanied by the unit nurse and bypass the pre procedure area.

[bramsey934]

Just curious who sedates the patient in the Endo procedure room if they come from a critical floor?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

If it's conscious sedation, one of the endo nurses who has completed the facility conscious sedation course. If it's anything beyond conscious sedation, anesthesia is involved. Each endo case has one circulator who also provides sedation and a tech to assist the physician.