The Sedation Practice Specialist (SPS) will then give you, among other things, a sleeping aid via an IV needle in a vein in your hand or arm. Depending on the type of examination or treatment, we sedate you more or less deeply. You become drowsy, but can be awakened quickly. Depending on the depth of sedation, we may also talk to you during the examination or treatment. Usually you don’t remember anything about it after waking up.
Who is the Sedation Practice Specialist (SPS)?
This is a nurse anesthetist who is specially trained to administer sedation. The SPS works under the responsibility of an anaesthesiologist.
Why sedation?
We can apply sedation to make an unpleasant and/or painful examination or treatment as comfortable as possible for you. That is, with less discomfort such as stress, fear and pain.
What is the sedation performed with?
The SPS uses 2 types of sedation agents. One to lower consciousness (the sedative) and one to decrease pain (the analgesic). These 2 resources reinforce each other.
What are the effects of sedation?
Administering sedation has the following effects on the body:
It reduces consciousness. You get sleepy, drowsy. As a result, you do not experience it very consciously, or you have even forgotten it afterwards.
You feel less or no pain.
Your own reflexes remain intact. This means that you continue to breathe, swallow or cough yourself.
You are basically arousing; you can compare this to sleeping. So you are not under general anesthesia.
What happens after the examination or treatment?
When the examination or treatment is finished, the SPS stops administering the sedation. You will then be taken to the recovery room, where you will stay until you are fully awake. A recovery nurse will measure blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels in your blood until you are allowed to return to the nursing ward.
The nurse on the nursing ward will let you know when you will go home.
Due to the medicines you have received, your ability to react may be temporarily reduced. Therefore, you must arrange for an adult to accompany you home. You are not allowed to go home alone by public transport and not to drive yourself. You should also not operate dangerous machinery.
We also advise you during the first 24 hours after the procedure:
- have an adult with you so that he/she can assist you if needed.
- not to consume alcoholic beverages.
- not to make important decisions.
Risks or side effects after sedation
With every examination and every treatment, complications or side effects can occur. Good preparation reduces the chance of this. Complications or side effects after sedation are rare, but we are obliged to report them to you:
There may be an allergic reaction to the drugs administered. This reaction can range from very harmless to very serious. Always report if you are [LF]allergic to something;
You may react somewhat disinhibited by the administered medicines;
You may have a headache, be nauseous or dizzy, or be vomiting;
Despite the fact that you slept during the examination or treatment, the body has made an effort. Tiredness after the examination or treatment is therefore common. The day of the examination or treatment and the day after, take it easy and take extra rest if necessary.
If you fall asleep too deeply during the exam or treatment, you may experience too little breathing or even stop breathing altogether. The SPS has everything at hand to remedy this situation, so that your safety is guaranteed. In extreme cases, a breathing tube will be placed in your throat.
If there is still food/drink in your stomach during the sedation, this stomach contents can rise and end up in the lungs. This can cause severe pneumonia. That is why it is very important to be sober.
