Aim: Procedures, such as immunisation and venepuncture, can be distressing for paediatric patients, especially those with needle phobia and neurodevelopmental disorders. Procedural sedation helps provide access to equitable health care in this population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pilot outpatient procedural sedation clinics at the Women's and Children's Hospital and the impact on patient care and outcomes.
Methods: A prospective review was undertaken between July 2021 and May 2022 on all patients who attended the procedural sedation clinics at the Women's and Children's Hospital. These clinics were the COVID Specialist Immunisation Sedation Clinic (SISC) and Paediatric Sedation Clinic (PSC).
Results: There were 182 visits in a total of 110 children with a 92% primary procedure success rate. Sixty-three per cent of patients had neurodevelopmental disorders with autism spectrum disorder being most common. There was a significant reduction in anxiety scores pre- and post-sedation and a reduction in anxiety scores if patients were to return without the use of sedation.
Conclusions: Outpatient procedural sedation is beneficial for a specific cohort of the paediatric population. This can also have a significant positive impact on patient care and potentially, long-term outcomes.
Keywords: anaesthetic; anxiety; immunisation; paediatric; procedural sedation; venepuncture.
© 2023 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (The Royal Australasian College of Physicians).