Sedation Unit Preparation
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Preparation Overview
Pediatric patients should arrive 1 hour prior to the examination time for MRI and CT Scans, and audiology testing (BAERs). For Nuclear Bone Scans you will be given specific instructions by the Pediatric Outpatient Sedation nurse. If your child requires oralcontrast for CT imaging, you need to arrive 3 hours prior to scan time.
A registered nurse from the POS Unit will be calling you several days before the procedure. This nurse will review your child’s medical history and give you specific instructions on arrival time, diet, and testing to be done. She will also discuss what medicines your child should that morning. If you have questions regarding your child’s procedure before the nurse calls you, please feel free to call the POS Unit at 314-251-1080. If it is after hours, some one will contact you the following business day.
Scans/procedures are scheduled in the Radiology Department which services allareas of the hospital. So in order to provide safe and efficient care to your child, we need you to arrive on time. If you are late, we may need to reschedule your procedure.
A parent/legal guardian must accompany your child. You may have another adult accompany you to help you with your child. We do request, however, that only two adults accompany your child. Please do not bring additional adults or children.
You will need to bring a list of any medications (with doses) that your child is currently taking. You may also bring an empty bottle or cup for your child to use after the procedure, and any special toy or comfort items. Cable TV and DVD players are provided in all rooms. Feel free to bring your child’s favorite DVD (distraction helps!).
If your child is ill (wheezing, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, cough with sputum) prior to their scheduled procedure, please call the ordering physician and the Pediatric Outpatient Sedation Unit, as your child’s procedure may need to be rescheduled. If it is after hours, leave a message and we will return your call the next business day.
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Diet Guidelines:
- Stop formula and non-human milk at midnight
- Stop all solid foods (any table food, baby food, cereal, gum, hard candy) at midnight
- Stop breast milk 3 hours prior to arrival time (breast milk cannot be supplemented with formula)
- Stop clear liquids 2 hours prior to arrival time
- Special circumstances (i.e. medications in foods, late afternoon procedure time) will be discussed individually.
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What Are Clear Liquids?:
- Water
- Apple Juice
- Pedialyte
- Jell-O (no fruit or whip cream)
- Popsicles (no pulp)
- Gatorade
- Other clear juices (no pulp or citrus)
Note: NOT ADHERING TO THE ABOVE DIETARY RESTRICTIONS MAY DELAY OR CANCEL YOUR CHILD’S TEST/PROCEDURE
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What to Expect the Day of Your Child’s Procedure:
Upon arrival to the Pediatric Outpatient Sedation Unit, the nurse will fill out an admission sheet, review/confirm medical history, and obtain vitals signs along with your child’s weight.
The pediatric anesthesiologist on duty will examine your child. At that time, he/she will explain the sedation/anesthesia and answer questions you may have regarding anesthesia. We encourage you to ask questions, as this may alleviate any concerns you have.
After the anesthesiologist exams your child, he/she will determine if an oral sedative is appropriate. This sedative will be mixed in Tylenol and given approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled procedure time. This will relax your child and facilitate the procedure.
An I.V. (intravenous line) may need to be placed during your child’s procedure. Whenever possible the I.V. will be started while your child is asleep. The IV will be utilized for blood work, medication administration and sedation. The IV will stay in
place until your child has returned from the procedure and is awake, alert, and tolerating fluids by mouth. The IV is taken out before discharge.
Some procedures are performed in the Pediatric Outpatient Sedation Unit, while others are performed in a specific department. If the procedure is performed in another department, you may accompany him/her, and wait in the departmental waiting room. When your child’s procedure is complete, anesthesia and/or the radiology nurse will accompany you and your child back to the Pediatric Outpatient Sedation Unit, where you will remain with your child until discharge.
Every child responds differently to the medications. Some may wake up immediately after the procedure is completed, while others may sleep for longer periods. If the testing is scheduled during a regular nap time, he/she may tend to sleep a little longer. It is not uncommon for young children to wake up upset, angry and tearful. Do not be alarmed; this will resolve. Once your child is awake and alert, clear liquids will be offered. Once clear liquids are tolerated your child’s IV will be taken out.
Before discharge the nurse will review written discharge instructions with you and make sure all questions are answered.
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Contacting the Pediatric Outpatient Sedation Unit
A registered nurse from the POS Unit will be calling you several days before the procedure. This nurse will review your child’s medical history and give you specific instructions on arrival time, diet, and testing to be done. She will also discuss what medicines your child should that morning. If you have questions regarding your child’s procedure before the nurse calls you, please feel free to call the POS Unit at 314-251-1080. If it is after hours, some one will contact you the following business day.
Back to Preparing for Your Child's Visit
