Safety of high-concentration nitrous oxide by nasal mask for pediatric procedural sedation: experience with 7802 cases

Strategies to minimize procedure-related pain and anxiety: lessons from pediatric dermatology

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Recent studies have suggested that prolonged or repeated episodes of general anesthesia early in childhood may adversely affect neurodevelopment. This, combined with rising healthcare costs and decreasing access, has sparked interest in performing pediatric procedures in the office setting when possible. It is essential to address the physical and psychological discomfort that often accompany this experience, particularly in children.

RECENT FINDINGS

Healthcare providers performing procedures on children can draw from a spectrum of established techniques, new technology, and novel use of medications to decrease peri-procedural pain and anxiety. These techniques include distraction, optimization of local anesthesia, and mild to moderate sedation.

SUMMARY

We recommend using a combination of techniques to minimize pain and anxiety to improve safety, decrease healthcare costs, improve patient experience, and prevent childhood trauma and persistent negative perception of the healthcare system.

Comparative evaluation of intranasal dexmedetomidine, intranasal midazolam, and nitrous oxide for conscious sedation of anxious children undergoing dental treatment: A randomized cross-over trial

BACKGROUND

Pharmacological methods, specifically sedatives, have gained popularity in managing the behavior of children during dental appointments.

AIM

The aim of this study was to compare 1 m/kg intranasal dexmedetomidine, 0.3 mg/kg intranasal midazolam, and nitrous oxide in evaluating the level of sedation, behavior of the child, onset of sedation, physiologic signs, and adverse effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross-over trial, 15 children aged 6-8 years were randomized to receive intranasal atomized dexmedetomidine, intranasal atomized midazolam, and inhalation nitrous oxide at three separate visits. After administering the sedative agent, a single pulpectomy was performed during each appointment, and the outcomes were recorded. The washout period between each visit was 1 week.

RESULTS

All three sedative agents were equally effective in controlling overall behavior. Dexmedetomidine showed lower sedation level scores (agitated; score 9) than the other groups. There was a statistically significant difference in the onset of sedation, with dexmedetomidine having the longest onset of 36.2 ± 9.47 min. Coughing and sneezing were predominantly observed after administration of intranasal midazolam. Oxygen saturation levels were statistically lower in the intranasal midazolam group during local anesthesia administration and post-treatment.

CONCLUSION

0.3 mg/kg intranasal midazolam is as effective as nitrous oxide sedation for controlling behavior and providing adequate sedation in pediatric dental patients. However, 1 m/kg dexmedetomidine did not provide the same level of sedation and had a significantly longer onset. 0.3 mg/kg intranasal midazolam is an effective alternative to nitrous oxide sedation in anxious children.

Safety and efficacy of a nitrous oxide procedural sedation programme in a paediatric emergency department: a decade of outcomes

BACKGROUND

Nitrous oxide (N2O) has multiple benefits in paediatric procedural sedation (PPS), but use is restricted by its limited analgesic properties. Analgesic potency could be increased by combining N2O and intranasal fentanyl (INF). We assessed safety and efficacy data from 10 years (2011-2021) of our N2O PPS programme.

METHODS

Prospectively collected data from a sedation registry at a paediatric emergency department (PED) were reviewed. Total procedures performed with N2O alone or with INF, success rate, sedation depth and adverse events were determined. Contributing factors for these outcomes were assessed via regression analysis and compared between different N2O concentrations, N2O in combination with INF, and for physician versus nurse administered sedation. A post hoc analysis on factors associated with vomiting was also performed.

RESULTS

831 N2O procedural sedations were performed, 358 (43.1%) involved a combination INF and N2O. Nurses managed sedation in 728 (87.6%) cases. Median sedation depth on the University of Michigan Sedation Scale was 1 (IQR 1-2). Sedation was successful in 809 (97.4%) cases. Combination INF/N2O demonstrated higher median sedation scores (2 vs 1, p<0.001) and increased vomiting (RR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3 to 2.5), with no difference in sedation success compared with N2O alone. No serious adverse events (SAEs) were reported (desaturation, apnoea, aspiration, bradycardia or hypotension) regardless of N2O concentration or use of INF. 137 (16.5%) minor adverse events occurred. Vomiting occurred in 113 (13.6%) cases and was associated with higher concentrations of N2O and INF use, but not associated with fasting status. There were no differences in adverse events (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.04) or success rates (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.56 to 1.7) between physician provided and nurse provided sedation.

CONCLUSION

N2O can provide effective PED PPS. No SAEs were recorded. INF may be an effective PPS adjunct but remains limited by increased rates of vomiting.

Nitrous oxide use in Canadian pediatric emergency departments: a survey of physician's knowledge, attitudes, and practices

OBJECTIVES

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is an inhaled analgesic/ anxiolytic gas with evidence supporting its safety and efficacy for distressing procedures in children. Despite this, its use is not consistent across Canadian pediatric emergency departments (EDs). We aimed to characterize a) physicians' knowledge and practices with N2O and b) site-specific N2O protocols in Canadian pediatric EDs to help optimize its use nationally.

METHODS

This cross-sectional survey was distributed to physician members of Pediatric Emergency Research Canada (PERC) in early 2021. Survey items addressed practice patterns, clinician comfort, and perceived barriers/ facilitators to use. Further, a representative from each ED completed a site-specific inventory of N2O policies and procedures.

RESULTS

N2O was available in 40.0% of 15 pediatric EDs, with 83.3% of these sites having written policies in place. Of 230 distributed surveys, 67.8% were completed with mean (SD) attending experience of 14.7 (8.6) years and 70.1% having pediatric emergency subspecialty training. Of the 156 respondents, 48.7% used N2O in their clinical practice. The most common indications for use were digit fracture/ dislocation reduction (69.7%), wound closure (60.5%), and incision & drainage (59.2%). Commonly perceived facilitators were N2O equipment availability (73.0% of 156) and previous clinical experience (71.7% of 156). Of the 51.3% of physicians who reported not using N2O, 93.7% did not have availability at their site; importantly, the majority indicated a desire to acquire access. They identified concerns about ventilation/ scavenging systems (71.2% of 80) and unfamiliarity with equipment (52.5% of 80) as the most common barriers to use.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite evidence to support its use, only half of Canadian pediatric ED physicians surveyed use N2O in their clinical practice for treating procedure-related pain and distress. Increased availability of N2O equipment, protocols, and training may improve clinicians' abilities to better manage pediatric acute pain and distress in the ED.

Pain Management in Children Admitted to the Emergency Room: A Narrative Review

Pain is a biopsychosocial experience characterized by sensory, physiological, cognitive, affective, and behavioral components. Both acute and chronic pain can have short and long-term negative effects. Unfortunately, pain treatment is often inadequate. Guidelines and recommendations for a rational approach to pediatric pain frequently differ, and this may be one of the most important reasons for the poor attention frequently paid to pain treatment in children. This narrative review discusses the present knowledge in this regard. A literature review conducted on papers produced over the last 8 years showed that although in recent years, compared to the past, much progress has been made in the treatment of pain in the context of the pediatric emergency room, there is still a lot to do. There is a need to create guidelines that outline standardized and easy-to-follow pathways for pain recognition and management, which are also flexible enough to take into account differences in different contexts both in terms of drug availability and education of staff as well as of the different complexities of patients. It is essential to guarantee an approach to pain that is as uniform as possible among the pediatric population that limits, as much as possible, the inequalities related to ethnicity and language barriers.

Behavioral Modifications in Children after Repeated Sedation with Nitrous Oxide for Dental Treatment: A Retrospective Study

Sedation with nitrous oxide (N₂O) has been widely used as a viable alternative to general anesthesia to perform dental treatments in uncooperative or anxious children. The purpose of this retrospective study is to assess if repeated sedations with N₂O can improve collaboration of uncooperative children. The medical records of 650 children, aged between 3 and 14 years, who underwent at least two sedations, were consulted. Differences in the Venham score during the first sedation and subsequent sedations were collected. After removal incomplete records, 577 children's records (309 males and 268 females) were analyzed. The Venham score decreased both during each sedation and with repeated sedations (p < 0.01 for both comparisons). In particular, a significant reduction of the Venham score was observed at the first contact with the dentist, with a mean score ranging from 1.56 ± 1.46 to 1.16 ± 1.37, comparing the first and the second sedation, and from 1.65 ± 1.43 to 1.06 ± 1.30, comparing the first with the third sedation (p < 0.01). The reduction in the Venham score was recorded in both healthy and physically impaired patients, and it was significantly greater in older children than in younger children (p < 0.01). In conclusion, uncooperative children with or without physical impairments can be successfully treated with N₂O sedation in order to increase their confidence in dental procedures.

Effects of Low-Concentration Nitrous Oxide Anesthesia on Patient Anxiety During Cataract Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Purpose

We investigated the effects of 30% low-concentration nitrous oxide (N₂O) anesthesia on anxiety, pain, and vital signs and the patient population that would benefit from low-concentration N₂O anesthesia during cataract surgery.

Patients and Methods

Sixty-three patients who underwent cataract surgery due to visual impairment from cataracts were included in this single-center retrospective cohort study conducted at the Ophthalmology Department of Shinseikai Toyama Hospital, Japan. Fifty eyes of 39 patients received a combination of local and N₂O anesthesia (N₂O group), and 30 eyes of 24 patients received local anesthesia without N₂O anesthesia (Air group). The primary outcome measures were visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for patient anxiety, pain, and vital signs. The secondary outcome measures were the patient population.

Results

The change in the VAS scores for anxiety and pain decreased significantly (p = 0.002 and p = 0.014, respectively) in the N₂O group (−15.6 ± 22.9 and 12.4 ± 14.9, respectively) compared with that in the Air group (1.2 ± 20.6 and 24.2 ± 22.4, respectively). The systolic and diastolic blood pressure changes did not significantly differ between both groups (p = 0.093 and p = 0.23, respectively). The change in heart rate decreased significantly (p = 0.001) in the N₂O group (−4.8 ± 4.8 bpm) compared with that in the Air group (−0.6 ± 5.8 bpm). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that the change in anxiety level in the N₂O group correlated significantly with patient age (p = 0.045) and preoperative VAS score for anxiety (p = 0.0001), whereas the change in anxiety level in the Air group did not correlate with any factor.

Conclusion

Low-concentration N₂O anesthesia showed beneficial effects on intraoperative anxiety and pain during cataract surgery; this may aid the stabilization of intraoperative vital signs. Moreover, low-concentration N₂O anesthesia during cataract surgery could benefit young patients and patients with high levels of preoperative anxiety.

The impact of a multidisciplinary care package for vaccination in needle phobic children: An observational study

AIMS

Children with severe needle phobia find vaccination extremely distressing and can remain unvaccinated, which puts them at an increased risk of contracting and transmitting vaccine preventable disease. Referral to a specialist or hospital service may occur when they cannot be safely vaccinated in the community, but engagement of allied health services can be inconsistent. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of a multidisciplinary, consumer-oriented model of care on vaccinations for needle phobic children.

METHODS

Needle phobic children aged between 6 and 16 years attended multidisciplinary consultation, as part of a care package, to assess previous experiences and determine the level of intervention that was required to support vaccination. A multidisciplinary case meeting followed this appointment and an individualised plan formulated for each patient. The main outcome of the project was rate of successful vaccination.

RESULTS

The care package resulted in a successful vaccination rate of 83% (n = 20) with 69 vaccines administered across three clinics. Of those successful, 90% required multiple injections per visit. The majority of patients indicated moderate to high level of anxiety. Supportive care was escalated and de-escalated as tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS

Results demonstrate the diversity of patients presenting with needle phobia and indicate an individualised, collaborative approach is preferable to a 'one size fits all' model of care. The study highlights a need for the development of guidelines that streamline the assessment and individualisation of procedural anxiety plans to meet patient needs and embed these processes into standard care.

Managing acute pain in children presenting to the emergency department without opioids

Pediatric pain is challenging to assess and manage. Frequently underestimated in children, untreated pain may have consequences including increased fear, anxiety, and psychological issues. With the current opioid crisis, emergency physicians must be knowledgeable in both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches to address pain and anxiety in children that lead to enhanced patient cooperation and family satisfaction. This document focuses pain management and distress mitigation strategies for the brief diagnostic and therapeutic procedures commonly performed.

Assessment of Nitrous Oxide Inhalation Sedation Module in Kuwait: A Survey on Undergraduate Dental Training Curriculum

INTRODUCTION

The use of nitrous oxide/oxygen (N₂O/O₂) inhalation sedation in dentistry has increased worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the nitrous oxide/oxygen (N₂O/O₂) inhalation sedation undergraduate teaching curriculum at Kuwait University Faculty of Dentistry.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey involving dental students in their clinical years (5th, 6th, and 7th years) at Kuwait University Faculty of Dentistry was conducted. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. The Likert scale-based survey comprised 17 statements that assessed various aspects of N₂O/O₂ inhalation sedation in dental procedures. Continuous data variables were compared among different groups using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Categorical data variables were compared using either the Chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

Fifty-six students participated in this survey-based study. All students attended an approximately equal number of practical hands-on-training sessions, with a mean of 1.7 (± 1.1) sessions (p = 0.813). Most students expressed confidence in administering N₂O/O₂ inhalation sedation with an insignificant difference between each group (p = 0.276). However, low confidence level was observed in certain intraoperative and postoperative management aspects of providing N₂O/O₂ to patients.

CONCLUSION

This study indicated that the teaching curriculum regarding N₂O/O₂ inhalation sedation should be regularly evaluated. The quality of students' educational pathways should also be assessed through surveys to improve and develop dental school curricula to the highest standard levels.

Comparison of the Sedative Effect of Inhaled Nitrous Oxide and Intranasal Midazolam in Behavior Management and Pain Perception of Pediatric Patients: A Split-mouth Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Background

Management of children has always been a challenging task in the dental office, as many children exhibit extreme fear, apprehension, and anxiety toward dental procedures. Pharmacological means of behavior management such as sedation are now at the forefront. Midazolam and nitrous oxide are the commonly employed pharmacological agents for sedation in pediatric dentistry. Though each route has its advantages and disadvantages, we compared the effect of atomized intranasal midazolam (dosage 0.3 mg/kg body weight) and nitrous oxide oxygen sedation in evaluating the behavior of child, pain experienced during local anesthesia administration, sedation level, and patient's acceptance.

Materials and methods

A total of 35 (n = 35) anxious pediatric patients aged 4-7 years with negative and definitely negative behavioral rating were randomized to receive intranasal midazolam and inhalational nitrous oxide through mask. The overall behavior, alertness, and cry were recorded using Houpt rating scale while pain and sedation were assessed by face, legs, activity, cry, and consolability (FLACC) and Ellis sedation scores, respectively.

Results

The children who received intranasal midazolam sedation were calm, had less adverse effects, and had better acceptance of the drug. Both the techniques of sedation were found to be equally effective in terms overall behavior rating.

Conclusion

Intranasal midazolam was found to be as effective as nitrous oxide sedation for controlling behavior and providing adequate sedation in pediatric dental patients. It can also be an effective alternative for anxious patients who are unable to maintain the nitrous oxide mask throughout the dental procedure.

How to cite this article

Srinivasan NK, Karunagaran P, Panchal V, et al. Comparison of the Sedative Effect of Inhaled Nitrous Oxide and Intranasal Midazolam in Behavior Management and Pain Perception of Pediatric Patients: A Split-mouth Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(S-2):S111-S116.

Prevalence of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphisms (C677T, and A1298C) among Saudi children receiving dental treatment

BACKGROUND

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, the encoded by the MTHFR gene, plays a crucial role in converting the amino acid homocysteine to methionine. Two polymorphisms of the MTHFR gene, C677T and A1298C, reportedly reduce enzyme activity, resulting in hyperhomocysteinemia. Patients with C677T and A1298C polymorphisms may be at higher risk for developing abnormal hyperhomocysteinemia, which has been linked to catastrophic neurological including fatal outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

Determine the prevalence of the MTHFR gene variants C677T and A1298C among pediatric dental patients treated at King Abdulaziz University Hospital.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

SETTING

Clinics of pediatric dentistry department.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Healthy Saudi children 6-12 years old with no known allergies were screened for eligibility between May and December 2019. A single investigator collected saliva samples. The MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The prevalence of MTHFR gene variants (C677T and A1298C) among the subjects.

SAMPLE SIZE

138.

RESULTS

MTHFR C677T polymorphism was present in 36.2% of the sample and 90.0% of children carrying this allele were heterozygotes. MTHFR A1298C polymorphism was present in 91.3% of the sample and 77.0% of the children carrying this allele were heterozygotes. No linkage disequilibrium between MTHFR C677T and MTHFR A1298C was observed within this sample.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study found a high frequency of the MTHFR A1298C genotype, which was substantially more abundant than expected based on a Hardy-Weinberg distribution. Therefore, caution is advised in using N2O in Saudi children as the increased prevalence of this MTHFR allele may increase the incidence of serious adverse effects among these children.

LIMITATIONS

Further studies are recommended with a larger sample size from randomly selected hospitals from different regions of Saudi Arabia.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None.

[Pediatric pain treatment and prevention for hospitalized children]

INTRODUCTION

Prevention and treatment of pain in pediatric patients compared with adults is often not only inadequate but also less often implemented the younger the children are. Children 0 to 17 years are a vulnerable population.

OBJECTIVES

To address the prevention and treatment of acute and chronic pain in children, including pain caused by needles, with recommended analgesic starting doses.

METHODS

This Clinical Update elaborates on the 2019 IASP Global Year Against Pain in the Vulnerable "Factsheet Pain in Children: Management" and reviews best evidence and practice.

RESULTS

Multimodal analgesia may include pharmacology (eg, basic analgesics, opioids, and adjuvant analgesia), regional anesthesia, rehabilitation, psychological approaches, spirituality, and integrative modalities, which act synergistically for more effective acute pediatric pain control with fewer side effects than any single analgesic or modality. For chronic pain, an interdisciplinary rehabilitative approach, including physical therapy, psychological treatment, integrative mind-body techniques, and normalizing life, has been shown most effective. For elective needle procedures, such as blood draws, intravenous access, injections, or vaccination, overwhelming evidence now mandates that a bundle of 4 modalities to eliminate or decrease pain should be offered to every child every time: (1) topical anesthesia, eg, lidocaine 4% cream, (2) comfort positioning, eg, skin-to-skin contact for infants, not restraining children, (3) sucrose or breastfeeding for infants, and (4) age-appropriate distraction. A deferral process (Plan B) may include nitrous gas analgesia and sedation.

CONCLUSION

Failure to implement evidence-based pain prevention and treatment for children in medical facilities is now considered inadmissible and poor standard of care.

Use of Nitrous Oxide in Office-based Urologic Procedures: A Review

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is underutilized in ambulatory urology. Here, we review available data regarding application, efficacy, and side effect profile of N₂O in ambulatory urologic procedures. Data were available from 11 studies. N₂O has been described in the setting of transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies, flexible cystoscopy, ureteral stent placement, and extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy in adult patients and catheterization in children. Studies showed significant improvements in peri-procedural pain and anxiety relative to alternative (or none) forms of analgesia. Adverse effects were rare and self-limited. More widespread use of N₂O may result in cost savings and better patient tolerance with outpatient procedures.

Effectiveness and Safety of Nitrous Oxide as a Sedative Agent at 60% and 70% Compared to 50% Concentration in Pediatric Dentistry Setting

Objective: Sedation using 50% nitrous oxide (N₂O) concentration is common in pediatric dentistry. The aim to assess sedation and cooperation levels following sedation with 60% and 70% N₂O concentrations in children whose dental treatment failed using 50% N₂O concentration. Study design: Children (n=51) aged 5-10 years were included. Sedation started with N₂O concentration of 50%; when appropriate cooperation and sedation were not achieved, N₂O concentration was increased to 60%, and subsequently to 70% during the same session. Sedation and cooperation levels were the primary outcomes. Adverse events were defined as secondary outcomes. Results: At 50% N₂O concentration, five children reached adequate sedation and cooperation and completed their dental treatment, where 32 children completed the treatment at 60% N₂O concentration. Fourteen children required a concentration of 70% to complete treatment. For ten of the latter, treatment was successfully completed, while for four, treatment failed, despite the achievement of adequate sedation. Adverse events were observed in 9%, 22%, of the children who received 60%, 70% N₂O concentrations, respectively. Conclusions: When sedation with 50% N₂O concentration does not achieve satisfactory cooperation to complete pediatric dental treatment, 60% N₂O concentration appears to be more effective than 50% and safer than 70%.

Pediatric pain treatment and prevention for hospitalized children

Introduction:

Prevention and treatment of pain in pediatric patients compared with adults is often not only inadequate but also less often implemented the younger the children are. Children 0 to 17 years are a vulnerable population.

Objectives:

To address the prevention and treatment of acute and chronic pain in children, including pain caused by needles, with recommended analgesic starting doses.

Methods:

This Clinical Update elaborates on the 2019 IASP Global Year Against Pain in the Vulnerable “Factsheet Pain in Children: Management” and reviews best evidence and practice.

Results:

Multimodal analgesia may include pharmacology (eg, basic analgesics, opioids, and adjuvant analgesia), regional anesthesia, rehabilitation, psychological approaches, spirituality, and integrative modalities, which act synergistically for more effective acute pediatric pain control with fewer side effects than any single analgesic or modality. For chronic pain, an interdisciplinary rehabilitative approach, including physical therapy, psychological treatment, integrative mind–body techniques, and normalizing life, has been shown most effective. For elective needle procedures, such as blood draws, intravenous access, injections, or vaccination, overwhelming evidence now mandates that a bundle of 4 modalities to eliminate or decrease pain should be offered to every child every time: (1) topical anesthesia, eg, lidocaine 4% cream, (2) comfort positioning, eg, skin-to-skin contact for infants, not restraining children, (3) sucrose or breastfeeding for infants, and (4) age-appropriate distraction. A deferral process (Plan B) may include nitrous gas analgesia and sedation.

Conclusion:

Failure to implement evidence-based pain prevention and treatment for children in medical facilities is now considered inadmissible and poor standard of care.

La gestion de la douleur et de l’anxiété chez les enfants lors de brèves interventions diagnostiques et thérapeutiques

Les interventions médicales courantes utilisées pour évaluer et traiter les patients peuvent causer une douleur et une anxiété marquées. Les cliniciens devraient adopter une approche de base pour limiter la douleur et l’anxiété chez les enfants, notamment à l’égard des interventions diagnostiques et thérapeutiques fréquentes. Le présent document de principes est axé sur les nourrissons, les enfants et les adolescents qui subissent des interventions médicales courantes mineures, mais douloureuses. Il n’aborde pas les soins prodigués à l’unité de soins intensifs néonatale. Les auteurs examinent des stratégies simples et fondées sur des données probantes pour gérer la douleur et l’anxiété et donnent des conseils pour en faire un volet essentiel de la pratique clinique. Les professionnels de la santé sont invités à utiliser des façons de procéder peu invasives et, lorsque les interventions douloureuses sont inévitables, à combiner des stratégies simples de réduction de la douleur et de l’anxiété pour améliorer l’expérience du patient, du parent et du professionnel de la santé. Les administrateurs de la santé sont encouragés à créer des politiques pour leurs établissements, à améliorer la formation et l’accès aux lignes directrices, à créer des environnements propices aux enfants et aux adolescents, à s’assurer de la disponibilité du personnel, de l’équipement et des agents pharmacologiques appropriés et à effectuer des contrôles de qualité pour garantir une gestion de la douleur optimale.

Comparison of analgesic and anxiolytic effects of nitrous oxide in burn wound treatment: A single-blind prospective randomized controlled trial

AIM

We compared the effects of 50% N2O and N2O titration in burn management to alleviate pain and anxiety associated with burn dressing.

METHODS

In this single-blind prospective randomized controlled trial, 70 stable adult burn patients were randomized to 2 groups during May 2015 to January 2016. The experimental group was titrated with N2O ranging from 30% to the ideal sedation concentration before dressing change until the end. The control group was treated with 50% N2O 2 minutes before dressing change until the end. Pain, anxiety, vital signs, and the highest concentrations of N2O inhaled were recorded at 1 minute before N2O inhalation (T0), dismantling of outer (T1), inner dressings (T2), debridement (T3), drug-smearing (T4), bandaging (T5), and 10 minutes after completion of the procedure (T6).

RESULTS

The pain and anxiety scores in the experimental group performed significantly less than the control group during T2-T6. The systolic blood pressure in T2 and the heart rate at T2 and T3 varied significantly between the 2 groups. The highest N2O concentrations of the experimental group were mainly 60% to 70% at T2 (87.9%), T3 (87.9%), and T4 (81.8%).

CONCLUSION

N2O titration significantly reduced pain and anxiety in burn patients, with minimal side effects.

Managing pain and distress in children undergoing brief diagnostic and therapeutic procedures

Common medical procedures to assess and treat patients can cause significant pain and distress. Clinicians should have a basic approach for minimizing pain and distress in children, particularly for frequently used diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. This statement focuses on infants (excluding care provided in the NICU), children, and youth who are undergoing common, minor but painful medical procedures. Simple, evidence-based strategies for managing pain and distress are reviewed, with guidance for integrating them into clinical practice as an essential part of health care. Health professionals are encouraged to use minimally invasive approaches and, when painful procedures are unavoidable, to combine simple pain and distress-minimizing strategies to improve the patient, parent, and health care provider experience. Health administrators are encouraged to create institutional policies, improve education and access to guidelines, create child- and youth-friendly environments, ensure availability of appropriate staff, equipment and pharmacological agents, and perform quality audits to ensure pain management is optimal.

Nitrous Oxide 70% for Procedural Analgosedation in a Pediatric Emergency Department-With or Without Intranasal Fentanyl?

OBJECTIVES

Nitrous oxide 70% (N20 70%) is an excellent medication for procedural analgosedation in a pediatric emergency department. However, its analgesic efficacy remains uncertain for painful procedures; therefore, a combination with intranasal fentanyl (INF), an opioid, was suggested. This study aimed at observing and assessing the analgesic efficacy and rate of adverse events using N20 70% with and without INF.

METHODS

Children who received N20 70% in a tertiary children's hospital emergency department from January 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015 were included in this observational study with prospective data collection. Physicians decided individually whether INF was administered. Medical staff documented the child's behavior during the procedure, adverse events, and satisfaction rate.

RESULTS

A total of 442 children were included; 206 (46.6%) received INF. Group differences regarding patient behavior were not statistically significant; however, N20 70% application time was longer in the INF group (P = .02). Nausea was the most frequent adverse event with 13.1% in the INF group versus 8.1% without INF. Inadequate procedural analgosedation was documented only in the INF group, affecting 1.8% of all patients (P = .002). In contrast, anxiety was exclusively observed in the group without INF, which was presumably misjudged pain (P = .03); the satisfaction rate in the INF group was 95.6% compared with 98.7% without INF.

CONCLUSIONS

Because of the study design and limitations, no conclusions about adding INF to N20 70% can be made. Additional research is needed to investigate the effect of combining N20 70% with INF.

European Society of Anaesthesiology Task Force on Nitrous Oxide: a narrative review of its role in clinical practice

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is one of the oldest drugs still in use in medicine. Despite its superior pharmacokinetic properties, controversy remains over its continued use in clinical practice, reflecting in part significant improvements in the pharmacology of other anaesthetic agents and developing awareness of its shortcomings. This narrative review describes current knowledge regarding the clinical use of N₂O based on a systematic and critical analysis of the available scientific literature. The pharmacological properties of N₂O are reviewed in detail along with current evidence for the indications and contraindications of this drug in specific settings, both in perioperative care and in procedural sedation. Novel potential applications for N₂O for the prevention or treatment of chronic pain and depression are also discussed. In view of the available evidence, we recommend that the supply of N₂O in hospitals be maintained while encouraging its economic delivery using modern low flow delivery systems. Future research into its potential novel applications in prevention or treatment of chronic conditions should be pursued to better identify its role place in the developing era of precision medicine.

Non-operating room anaesthesia in children

Administration of sedation and/or anaesthesia to patients undergoing painful or uncomfortable procedures at off-site locations is referred to as non-operating room anaesthesia (NORA). Sedating/anaesthetising children in an unfamiliar environment, with the lack of support staff, nonavailability of choice of medication and equipment is often challenging. Studies have shown an increased risk of airway-related adverse events, complications, and even death outside the operating room locations. It is crucial to be familiar with the anatomical and physiological variations in children, well versed with the difficult airway algorithm and call for help early. The most common event in NORA claims was inadequate oxygenation/ventilation, which are preventable with vigilant monitoring. English language articles were searched in Pubmed, Google Scholar, and Academic using 'sedation in children', 'remote location anaesthesia', 'peadiatric sedation', and 'nonoperating room anaesthesia' as the mesh words. Full text of the relevant articles was obtained and this review article was synthesised. The article outlines various safety guidelines, sedation techniques, drugs used for sedation, environmental concerns, procedure-specific risks, and complications associated with NORA in children.

A hospital-wide initiative to eliminate or reduce needle pain in children using lean methodology

INTRODUCTION

Pain remains common, underrecognized, and undertreated in children's hospitals and pediatric clinics. Over 200,000 patients experience needle pain annually in our institution, caused by blood draws, intravenous access, vaccinations, and injections on all inpatient units, emergency departments, outpatient laboratories, and ambulatory clinics.

OBJECTIVES

We implemented a hospital-based, system-wide initiative called the "Children's Comfort Promise," and created a new standard of care for needle procedures that required staff to consistently offer 4 strategies: (1) topical anesthetics, (2) sucrose or breastfeeding for infants 0 to 12 months, (3) comfort positioning (including swaddling, skin-to-skin, or facilitated tucking for infants; sitting upright for children), and (4) age-appropriate distraction.

METHODS

The protocol was established system-wide in one of the largest children's hospitals in the United States using a staggered implementation approach over a 3-year period to allow for unit-specific customization and facilitation of knowledge transfer from one unit to another. All departments were required to offer all 4 strategies with appropriate education at least 95% of the time.

RESULTS

Comparison of baseline audits with continuous postimplementation audits revealed that wait times for services decreased, patient satisfaction increased, and staff concerns about implementation were allayed (eg, concerns about wait times and success rates of venipuncture after topical anesthesia).

CONCLUSION

This is the first report of a successful system-wide protocol implementation to reduce or eliminate needle pain, including pain from vaccinations, in a children's hospital across all inpatient units, emergency departments, outpatient laboratories, and ambulatory clinics through consistent use of topical anesthesia, sucrose/breastfeeding, positioning, and distraction.

Use of Nitrous Oxide in Dermatology: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Many dermatologic procedures are painful and can be distressing to patients.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether nitrous oxide has been used in dermatology and whether literature supports its use in terms of providing analgesia and anxiety associated with dermatologic procedures.

METHODS

A search of PubMed and Cochrane databases was conducted through July 15, 2016, to identify studies involving nitrous oxide use in dermatology.

RESULTS

Eight studies were identified and reviewed. The use of nitrous oxide/oxygen mixture resulted in a significant reduction in pain when used for photodynamic therapy, botulinum toxin therapy for hyperhidrosis of both the palms and axilla, aesthetic procedures involving various laser procedures, and in the treatment of bed sores and leg ulcers. However, pain scores were higher when nitrous oxide/oxygen was used in the debridement of chronic ulcers when compared with the use of topical anesthesia. In addition, nitrous oxide has been reported effective at reducing pain in hair transplants, dermabrasion, excision and repairs, and pediatric procedures.

CONCLUSION

Current literature provides some evidence that nitrous oxide, used alone or as adjunct anesthesia, is effective at providing analgesia for many dermatologic procedures. Nitrous oxide has many potential applications in dermatology; however, further evidence from randomized controlled trials is needed.

Complications caused by nitrous oxide in dental sedation

The first clinical application of nitrous oxide (N₂O) was in 1844, by an American dentist named Horace Wells who used it to control pain during tooth extraction. Since then, N₂O has shared a 170-year history with modern dental anesthesia. N₂O, an odorless and colorless gas, is very appealing as a sedative owing to its anxiolytic, analgesic, and amnestic properties, rapid onset and recovery, and, in particular, needle-free application. Numerous studies have reported that N₂O can be used safely and effectively as a procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) agent. However, N₂O can lead to the irreversible inactivation of vitamin B12, which is essential for humans; although rare, this can be fatal in some patients.

Past, present, and future of nitrous oxide

INTRODUCTION

For a drug that has been omnipresent for nearly 200 years, nitrous oxide's (N2O) future seems less certain than its illustrious past. Environmental concerns are coming to the fore and may yet outweigh important clinical benefits.

SOURCES OF DATA

After determining the scope of the review, the authors used PubMed with select phrases encompassing the words in the scope. Both preclinical and clinical reports were considered.

AREAS OF AGREEMENT

The analgesic and anaesthetic advantages of N2O remain despite a plethora of newer agents.

AREAS OF CONTROVERSY

N2O greenhouse gas effect and its inhibition of key enzymes involved in protein and DNA synthesis have provided further fuel for those intent on eliminating its further clinical use.

GROWING POINTS

The use of N2O for treatment-resistant depression has gained traction.

AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH

Comparative studies for N2O role in combatting the prescription opioid analgesic epidemic may well provide further clinical impetus.

Fear of Injections and Needle Phobia Among Children and Adolescents: An Overview of Psychological, Behavioral, and Contextual Factors

The purpose of this clinical update is to provide an overview of the fear of needles and needle phobia in children and adolescents including characteristics and diagnosis, prevalence and epidemiology, etiological factors, and treatment options. Needle-related fear and needle phobia present as significant needle-related distress and avoidance behavior. The etiology is biopsychosocial. These challenging conditions are more common in children and adolescents than in adults. The nurse-patient relationship enables the provision of suitable preparation before injection procedures. Nurses can use exposure-based interventions and incorporate coping strategies and teaching of parents and children. Nurses play a pivotal role in noticing the need for further treatment. Procedural needle-related distress is a complex phenomenon representing a continuum ranging from needle fear to more severe needle phobia. For patients with needle fear management and training methods used by nurses can possibly prevent a progression of the condition into needle phobia. In cases of needle phobia, a correct diagnosis made by a psychiatrist is necessary and enables referral to a psychotherapist with experience in treating children and adolescents with needle phobia.

Protocol for a double blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial using ondansetron to reduce vomiting in children receiving intranasal fentanyl and inhaled nitrous oxide for procedural sedation in the emergency department (the FON trial)

INTRODUCTION

Intranasal fentanyl and nitrous oxide (N₂O) can be combined to create a non-parenteral procedural sedation regimen for children in the paediatric emergency department. This combination of intranasal fentanyl and N₂O provides effective pain relief for more painful procedures, but is associated with a higher incidence of vomiting than N₂O alone. Our aim is to assess whether ondansetron used preventatively reduces the incidence of vomiting associated with intranasal fentanyl and N₂O for procedural sedation compared with placebo.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This study is a double blind, randomised placebo-controlled superiority trial. This is a single-centre trial of 442 children aged 3-18 years presenting to a tertiary care Paediatric Emergency Department at the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH), Melbourne, Australia, requiring procedural sedation with intranasal fentanyl and N₂O. After written consent, eligible participants are randomised to receive ondansetron or placebo along with intranasal fentanyl, 30-60 min prior to N₂O administration. The primary outcome is vomiting during or up to 1 hour after procedural sedation. Secondary outcomes include: number of vomits and retching during procedural sedation, vomiting 1-24 hours after procedural sedation, procedural sedation duration and associated adverse events, procedure abandonment, parental satisfaction and the value parents place on the prevention of vomiting. This trial will allow refinement of a non-parenteral sedation regimen for children requiring painful procedures.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study has ethics approval at the RCH, Melbourne, protocol number 36174. The results from this trial will be submitted to conferences and published in a peer-reviewed journal.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12616001213437).

Inhaled nitrous oxide can reduce the pain perception in post Caldwell-Luc operation patients-a randomised trial

To assess the efficiency of inhaled nitrous oxide (N₂O) for the reduce the perception pain in extraction of iodoform gauze packing strips in post Caldwell-Luc operation patients. This randomized single blind trial included a total of 47 patients, aged between 14–82 years, in which undergoing radical maxillary sinusotomy. Based on the randomization procedure, patients were treated with (experimental) or without (control) inhaled N₂O. The visual analogue scale scores (VAS scores) of the pain perception and the headache duration time were comparatively studied. The average VAS score for pain perception was 3.92 in the N₂O group and 7.87 in the control group. The average headache duration time was 0.12 hour in the N₂O group and 13.09 hours in the control group. Both VAS scores for pain perception during the treatment and the average headache duration time were significantly reduced in the inhaled N₂O group (P < 0.01). Reduced pain perception and headache duration time indicated that, the inhaled N₂O method might be viable in extraction of iodoform gauze packing strips in post Caldwell-Luc operation patients.

Successful use of nitrous oxide during lumbar punctures: A call for nitrous oxide in pediatric oncology clinics

Numerous reports describe the successful use of nitrous oxide for analgesia in children undergoing painful procedures. Although shown to be safe, effective, and economical, nitrous oxide use is not yet common in pediatric oncology clinics and few reports detail its effectiveness for children undergoing repeated lumbar punctures. We developed a nitrous oxide clinic, and undertook a review of pediatric oncology lumbar puncture records for those patients receiving nitrous oxide in 2011. No major complications were noted. Minor complications were noted in 2% of the procedures. We offer guidelines for establishing such a clinic.

Pharmacologic Considerations for Pediatric Sedation and Anesthesia Outside the Operating Room: A Review for Anesthesia and Non-Anesthesia Providers

Understanding the pharmacologic options for pediatric sedation outside the operating room will allow practitioners to formulate an ideal anesthetic plan, allaying anxiety and achieving optimal immobilization while ensuring rapid and efficient recovery. The authors identified relevant medical literature by searching PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases for English language publications covering a period from 1984 to 2017. Search terms included pediatric anesthesia, pediatric sedation, non-operating room sedation, sedation safety, and pharmacology. As a narrative review of common sedation/anesthesia options, the authors elected to focus on studies, reviews, and case reports that show clinical relevance to modern day sedation/anesthesia practice. A variety of pharmacologic agents are available for sedation/anesthesia in pediatrics, including midazolam, fentanyl, ketamine, dexmedetomidine, etomidate, and propofol. Dosing ranges reported are a combination of what is discussed in the reviewed literature and text books along with personal recommendations based on our own practice. Several reports reveal that ketofol (a combination of ketamine and propofol) is quite popular for short, painful procedures. Fospropofol is a newer-generation propofol that may confer advantages over regular propofol. Remimazolam combines the pharmacologic effects of remifentanil and midazolam. A variety of etomidate derivatives such as methoxycarbonyl-etomidate, carboetomidate, methoxycarbonyl-carboetomidate, and cyclopropyl-methoxycarbonyl metomidate are in development stages. The use of nitrous oxide as a mild sedative, analgesic, and amnestic agent is gaining popularity, especially in the ambulatory setting. Utilizing a dedicated and experienced team to provide sedation enhances safety. Furthermore, limiting sedation plans to single-agent pharmacy appears to be safer than using multi-agent plans.

Intranasal fentanyl and inhaled nitrous oxide for fracture reduction: The FAN observational study

INTRODUCTION

Procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) are frequently used for fracture reduction in pediatric emergency departments (ED). Combining intranasal (IN) fentanyl with inhalation of nitrous oxide (N₂O) allow for short recovery time and obviates painful and time-consuming IV access insertions.

METHODS

We performed a bicentric, prospective, observational cohort study. Patients aged 4-18years were included if they received combined PSA with IN fentanyl and N₂O for the reduction of mildly/moderately displaced fracture or of dislocation. Facial Pain Scale Revised (FPS-R) and Face, Leg, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) scores were used to evaluate pain and anxiety before, during and after procedure. University of Michigan Sedation Score (UMSS), adverse events, detailed side effects and satisfaction of patients, parents and medical staff were recorded at discharge. A follow up telephone call was made after 24-72h.

RESULTS

90 patients were included. There was no difference in FPS-R during the procedure (median score 2 versus 2), but the FLACC score was significantly higher as compared to before (median score 4 versus 0, Δ 2, 95% CI 0, 2). Median UMSS was 1 (95% CI 1, 2). We recorded no serious adverse events. Rate of vomiting was 12% (11/84). Satisfaction was high among participants responding to this question 85/88 (97%) of parents, 74/83 (89%) of patients and 82/85 (96%) of physicians would want the same sedation again.

CONCLUSION

PSA with IN fentanyl and N₂O is effective and safe for the reduction of mildly/moderately displaced fracture or dislocation, and has a high satisfaction rate.

Nitrous Oxide, From the Operating Room to the Emergency Department

Nitrous oxide is a gas inhalation agent that has a long history of administration in procedures requiring analgesia and sedation. Although use may be limited by patient condition, patient comorbidities, and appropriate scavenging equipment, nitrous is a proven and safe tool for use in many health care settings—from the dental office to the operating room to the emergency department.

Practice Patterns and Adverse Events of Nitrous Oxide Sedation and Analgesia: A Report from the Pediatric Sedation Research Consortium

OBJECTIVES

To describe practice patterns and adverse events associated with nitrous oxide (N2O) administration as the primary sedative outside the operating room in varied settings by a diverse range of providers, and to identify patient and sedation characteristics associated with adverse events.

STUDY DESIGN

Data prospectively collected by the Pediatric Sedation Research Consortium, which is comprised of 40 children's and general/community hospitals, was retrospectively analyzed for children who received N2O as the primary sedative. Descriptive measures of patient and sedation characteristics and adverse events were reported. A multivariable regression model was used to assess potential associations between patient and sedation characteristics and adverse events.

RESULTS

A total of 1634 N2O administrations were identified. The majority was performed in sedation units, and most by advanced practice nurses or physician assistants. The most common adjunct medication was midazolam. There was a low prevalence of adverse events (6.5%), with vomiting as the most common (2.4%) and only 3 (0.2%) serious adverse events reported. The odds of vomiting increased when concomitant opioids were administered (OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.14, 7.32) and when nil per os (NPO) clear fluids <2 hours (OR 4.16, 95% CI 1.61, 10.76). NPO full meal <6 hours did not change the odds of vomiting (OR 1.42, 95% CI 0.57, 3.57). There were no aspiration events.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a very low prevalence of serious adverse events during N2O administration in children outside of the operating room and by nonanesthesiologists. The odds of vomiting increased when concomitant opioids were administered and NPO clear fluids <2 hours.

Effect of nitrous oxide on fentanyl consumption in burned patients undergoing dressing change

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Thermal injuries and injured areas management are important causes of pain in burned patients, requiring that these patients are constantly undergoing general anesthesia for dressing change. Nitrous oxide (N2O) has analgesic and sedative properties; it is easy to use and widely available. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of N2O combined with fentanyl in burned patients during dressing change.

METHOD

After approval by the institutional Ethics Committee, 15 adult burned patients requiring daily dressing change were evaluated. Patient analgesia was controlled with fentanyl 0.0005% administered by intravenous pump infusion on-demand. Randomly, in one of the days a mixture of 65% N2O in oxygen (O2) was associated via mask, with a flow of 10 L/min (N2O group) and on the other day only O2 under the same flow (control group).

RESULTS

No significant pain reduction was seen in N2O group compared to control group. VAS score before dressing change was 4.07 and 3.4, respectively, in N2O and control groups. Regarding pain at the end of the dressing, patients in N2O group reported pain severity of 2.8; while the control group reported 2.87. There was no significant difference in fentanyl consumption in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The association of N2O was not effective in reducing opioid consumption during dressing changes.

Non-Intravenous Sedatives and Analgesics for Procedural Sedation for Imaging Procedures in Pediatric Patients

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to describe the method of delivery, dosage regimens, and outcomes of sedatives administered by extravascular route for imaging procedures in children.

METHODS

Medline, Embase, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched using keywords "child", "midazolam", "ketamine", dexmedetomidine", "fentanyl", "nitrous oxide", and "imaging." Articles evaluating the use of extravascular sedation in children for imaging procedures published in English between 1946 and March 2015 were included. Two authors independently screened each article for inclusion. Reports were excluded if they did not contain sufficient details on dosage regimens and outcomes.

RESULTS

Twenty reports representing 1,412 patients ranging in age from 0.33 to 19 years of age were included for analysis. Due to discrepancies in doses and types of analyses, statistical analyses were not performed. Oral midazolam was the most common agent evaluated; other agents included intranasal (IN) ketamine, IN midazolam, IN fentanyl, IN and transmucosal dexmedetomidine, and N2O. Most agents were considered efficacious compared with placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

Most agents showed efficacy for sedation during imaging when delivered through an extra-vascular route. Selection of agents should be based on onset time, duration, patient acceptability, recovery time, and adverse events. More robust studies are necessary to determine the optimal agent and route to utilize for imaging procedures when sedation is needed.

Options and Considerations for Procedural Sedation in Pediatric Imaging

As pediatric imaging capabilities have increased in scope, so have the complexities of providing procedural sedation in this environment. While efforts by many organizations have dramatically increased the safety of pediatric procedural sedation in general, radiology sedation creates several special challenges for the sedation provider. These challenges require implementation of additional safeguards to promote safety during sedation while maintaining effective and efficient care. Multiple agent options are available, and decisions regarding which agent(s) to use should be determined by both patient needs (i.e., developmental capacities, underlying health status, and previous experiences) and procedural needs (i.e., duration, need for immobility, and invasiveness). Increasingly, combinations of agents to either achieve the conditions required or mitigate/counterbalance adverse effects of single agents are being utilized with success. To continue to provide effective imaging sedation, it is incumbent on sedation providers to maintain familiarity with continuing evolutions within radiology environments, as well as comfort and competence with multiple sedation agents/regimens. This review discusses the challenges associated with radiology sedation and outlines various available agent options and combinations, with the intent of facilitating appropriate matching of agent(s) with patient and procedural needs.

Sedation methods for intra-articular corticosteroid injections in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: a review

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic rheumatic disease in children. Intra-articular corticosteroid injection (IASI), one of the cornerstones of treatment for this disease, is usually associated with anxiety and pain. IASI in JIA may be performed under general anesthesia, conscious sedation, or local anesthesia alone. Currently, there is no widely accepted standard of care regarding the sedation method for IASI. This review discusses the different methods of anesthesia and sedation in this procedure, emphasizing the advantages and shortcomings of each method.

Laryngospasm With Apparent Aspiration During Sedation With Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide and oxygen mixture has become increasingly popular for the procedural sedation and analgesia of children in the emergency department. In general, nitrous oxide is regarded as a very safe agent according to large case series. We report a case of single-agent nitrous oxide sedation of a child, complicated by laryngospasm and radiographically confirmed bilateral upper lobe pulmonary opacities. Although rarely reported with parenteral sedative agents, laryngospasm and apparent aspiration has not been previously reported in isolated nitrous oxide sedation. This case highlights that, similar to other sedative agents, nitrous oxide administration also needs to be conducted by staff and in settings in which airway emergencies can be appropriately managed.

Variation in Procedural Sedation Practices Among Children's Hospitals

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Children often need procedural sedation for painful procedures. There are few data on type of provider, site of sedation, and agents used for procedural sedation in hospitals across the nation. The objective was to determine procedural sedation practices for hospitalized children outside the PICU and emergency department.

METHODS

Surveys were sent to 89 pediatric hospitalist (PH) leaders in hospitals belonging to the Child Health Corporation of America or the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions.

RESULTS

We received responses from 56 PHs (63%), of whom 49 (55%) completed the survey. PHs provided sedation in 18 hospitals. Provider, setting, and agents used for procedural sedation varied. The primary providers of procedural sedation for abscess incision and drainage, renal biopsy, joint aspiration, computed tomography, and MRI were anesthesiologists. A significantly greater percentage of hospitals where PHs did not provide procedural sedation used the operating room for abscess incision and drainage compared with hospitals where PHs provided procedural sedation (63% vs 28%, respectively). Postoperative/abscess dressing change, vesicocystourethrogram, and ≥1 painful procedure were performed without sedation in significantly greater percentage of hospitals where PHs did not provide procedural sedation compared with hospitals where PHs provided procedural sedation.

CONCLUSIONS

There is variability in sedation practices in hospitals across the nation, which affects patient care and use of resources such as the operating room. In hospitals where PHs provide procedural sedation, there is less operating room use and fewer painful procedures for which no sedation is provided.