Concerns about non-anesthesiologists administration of intravenous anesthetics.
10.5124/jkma.2013.56.8.642
- Author:
Sung Jin HONG
1
Author Information
1. Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. hongs@catholic.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Editorial
- Keywords:
Anesthetics;
Intravenous;
Conscious sedation;
Patient safety
- MeSH:
Airway Management;
Anesthesia, General;
Anesthetics;
Anesthetics, Intravenous;
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation;
Conscious Sedation;
Humans;
Korea;
Patient Safety;
Problem Solving;
Substance-Related Disorders
- From:Journal of the Korean Medical Association
2013;56(8):642-644
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Non-anesthesiologist physicians commonly administer intravenous anesthetics for procedural sedation in Korea. However, an analysis of legal suits shows that such procedural sedation is often performed unsafely. Procedural sedation using potent intravenous anesthetics has similar effect as general anesthesia, which means it has a potential for respiratory and cardiac suppression. There is no training program for non-anesthesiologists to obtain the skills for the adequate control of sedation depth and problem solving. This paper urges the Korean Medical Association and affiliated societies to establish a program to teach doctors the proper use of intravenous anesthetics. The program should cover adequate monitoring of patients, airway management, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Access to intravenous anesthetics also poses a risk of drug abuse. Doctors and patients should be cautioned about the abuse potential of intravenous anesthetics, and strict control of such drugs is necessary.
