Recovery and Discharge

• Removal of the painful stimulus may lead to an increase in the level of sedation during the recovery period.
  • This may be accompanied by the development of significant complications and therefore monitoring must be continued until the patient is awake and alert.
• The following serve as reasonable, safe standards for recovery and discharge:
  • Recovery should be supervised by trained staff and take place in an area which has adequate levels of monitoring and resuscitation equipment.
  • Vital signs should be monitored until the patient is awake and alert, and no longer shows evidence of respiratory depression.
  • A physician capable of managing the complications that may arise should be immediately available until discharge criteria have been met.
  • Patients should be observed until appropriate discharge criteria are satisfied [3]:
    • The patient is alert and orientated, and has returned to their baseline level of consciousness.
    • Vital signs are stable and within acceptable limits for that patient.
    • Respiratory status is not compromised.
    • Pain and discomfort have been addressed.
    • Sufficient time must have elapsed since the last administration of any reversal agent (up to 2 hours).
    • Patients should be discharged in the presence of a responsible adult who will accompany them home and be able to report any post-procedure complications.
    • They should be provided with verbal and written instruction about post-procedure diet, medication, and a phone number to call in the event of an emergency.

Recovery

Discharge:

• • Post sedation advice form

Post-sedation advice form

Learning Bite

Vital signs should be monitored until the patient is awake and alert and the patient observed until specific discharge criteria are met.

Learning Bite

Patients should be discharged with written post-sedation advice and in the presence of a responsible adult who will accompany them home and be able to report any post-procedure complications.