Context

Ketamine is capable of producing a trance-like dissociative state characterised by profound analgesia and amnesia, with retention of protective airway reflexes, spontaneous respiration and cardiopulmonary stability.

As a result, it has an excellent track record in procedural sedation for children in emergency medicine internationally dating from 1998. [1] It provides more reliable sedation than benzodiazepine/opioid combinations. More importantly, it appears safer. [2]

A CEM guideline for its IM use has existed since 2003. In September 2009, the College published Ketamine Sedation of Children in Emergency Departments, for either IM or IV administration. In February 2020 a Best Practice Guideline was published titled Ketamine Procedural Sedation For Children In The Emergency Department. [3]

This session is based upon the College guidelines.

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