Q. Does the Joint Commission define what medications are considered under the standards for moderate or deep sedation? For example:
- chloral hydrate for sedation of children
- Brevitol, Propofol, Ketamine
A. The Joint Commission standards do not identify specific medication. Rather, any medication which is used for the purpose of inducing moderate sedation, or any medication, which when used results in a level of moderate sedation would be subject to the standards for moderate or deep sedation.
Q. Does the person administering sedation have to be qualified to monitor the patient if other staff who are present are qualified?
A. Standard PC.13.20 requires a sufficient number of staff, in addition to the person performing the procedure, be present to perform the procedure, monitor and recover the patient. The person administering the medication must be qualified to manage the patient at whatever level of sedation or anesthesia is achieved, either intentionally or unintentionally. There may be a need for additional monitoring personnel, but the person administering the sedation must be qualified to monitor the patient.