J Korean Med Assoc.  2013 Aug;56(8):642-644. 10.5124/jkma.2013.56.8.642.

Concerns about non-anesthesiologists administration of intravenous anesthetics

• Hong SJ

• KMID: 1847864
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2013.56.8.642

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.

Keyword

Anesthetics; Intravenous; Conscious sedation; Patient safety

MeSH Terms

Airway Management
Anesthesia, General
Anesthetics
Anesthetics, Intravenous
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Conscious Sedation
Humans
Korea
Patient Safety
Problem Solving
Substance-Related Disorders
Anesthetics
Anesthetics, Intravenous

Reference

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