Sedation

Question 1

When is sedation used?

Answer 1

It is a last resort treatment that should only be used once all other options have been exhausted in response to an acute behavioural disturbance (ABD).

Question 2

Roles in the sedation team:

Answer 2

Sedation supervisor: the most senior paramedic available who takes full responsibility for patient management.

Sedation assistant: administration of medication and constant monitoring

Question 3

Sedation indications

Answer 3

SAT score greater than 2, patient poses serious risk to self or others, verbal de-escalation is inefffective

Question 4

Sedation contraindications

Answer 4

Suffering (or suspected) from haemodynamic instability, compromised airway, drug-specific contraindications

Question 5

Sedation complications

Answer 5

Respiratory depression, loss of consciousness, cardiovascular depression, unpredictable responses

Question 6

Sedation medications

Answer 6

Droperidol (first choice, ACP2 and CCP)

Midazolam (ACP2 and CCP)

Ketamine (CCP only)