Sedation and analgesia in emergency department

Abstract

Physicians at the emergency departments frequently encounter diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for the treatment of pain. Although relief of pain composes an essential element in modern emergency practices, sedation and analgesia are not used adequately and sufficiently due to serious side effects of various agents associated with sedation and analgesia, concerns for overusing sedation and changing physical examination findings. Minimum requirements for the health professionals in administering invasive sedation and analgesia are that they should be knowledgeable regarding the sedative medications, side effects of these medications and be able to handle possible complications. During invasive sedation and analgesia, the presence of a physician recognizing and intervening respiratory and hemodynamic emergencies is a must. The aim of this article is to discuss the key points in sedative and analgesic practices, the sedative medications and their side effects, appropriate medication choice for the patient's clinical situation, determining critical patients and proper discharge criteria in the light of recent medical knowledge.