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Implementing a standardised approach to paediatric procedural sedation in emergency departments

Project outline

A paediatric procedural sedation program was developed in 2004 to establish a standardised practice of paediatric sedation in the Emergency Department (ED) at the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) and to also improve the experience of children and reduce the risks associated with sedation.

The program (revised in 2006 and 2008) includes formal training and credentialing of nurses and doctors and is supported by visual media education.

The Emergency Care Improvement & Innovation Clinical Network (ECIICN) works with EDs in Victorian hospitals to improve the quality of patient care. The current stage of the project aims to support the state-wide, multi phase implementation of the program.  

Project partners

  • The Royal Children’s Hospital
  • The Emergency Care Improvement & Innovation Clinical Network (ECIICN)
  • Sunshine Hospital
  • Monash Medical Centre
  • The VMIA.

Project outcomes

Resources to assist health services in providing safe paediatric procedural sedation in emergency departments are currently in late stages of development. When completed, resources will be made available here.

Further information

Jan Pannifex
Manager ECIICN
Department of Health
Email: jan.pannifex@health.vic.gov.au 

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