Society for Pediatric Sedation Nursing Committee, Essay Example

Objective/Purpose of the Program

In the Pediatric Specialty Care Unit, a new position of Sedation Nurse is required in order to facilitate leadership and expert knowledge in administering procedural sedation using invasive or non-invasive methods. Pediatric sedation is a method that is used in specialty pediatric care in order to treat patients who require sedation in a setting other than the operating room (Lowrie et.al, 1998). Standardizing this role is a critical factor in support of the advancement of sedation and pain management in a safe manner in order to preserve patient health, while also considering the patient’s level of development, degree of wellbeing, procedural impact, and cultural as well as familial needs (Society for Pediatric Sedation, 2015). This method requires substantial knowledge and resources in order to be effective in meeting the needs of the pediatric patients who are served, while also considering the significant attention to detail and skillset in order to effectively perform this procedure without further risk or harm to patients (Society for Pediatric Sedation, 2015). A collaborative team in the Pediatric Specialty Care Unit must include the sedation nurse, an Advanced Practice Nurse, a physician with training in anesthesiology or sedation, and a team of sedation experts (Society for Pediatric Sedation, 2015). It is the objective of educational organizations to establish a certification in pediatric sedation in order to train nurses to administer sedatives to these patients in a safe and effective manner at all times (Society for Pediatric Sedation, 2015). Furthermore, nurses with the knowledge and expertise in this area will be able to provide an expert approach to pediatric sedation, accompanied by a successful background in the nursing profession (Society for Pediatric Sedation, 2015).

Target Audience

The proposed project is designed to educate members of the Pediatric Specialty Care Unit regarding the importance of pediatric sedation and the need for an expert in this area with a strong professional nursing background. This population must explore the benefits of this position and its impact on their department goals and objectives, along with a greater understanding of the difficulties associated with pediatric sedation and the level of risk that is involved in this process. This type of expert possesses knowledge of the different reasons that pediatric sedation is required outside of the operating room and is able to provide expert guidance in advancing this skillset safely and effectively. The level of knowledge and competence required in this position is significant, as there are many variables to consider with respect to the safety of sedation for young children, particularly when it is not conducted in the operating room.

Benefits of the Proposal

The adoption of procedural sedation as a commonly used procedure in the Pediatric Specialty Care Unit is essential in order to address the sedation needs of this population and to ensure that patients are able to receive high quality care and treatment on a continuous basis at this level. This role requires expert knowledge from advanced practice nurses who possess a unique skillset and who are able to contribute to this process at a high level. Most importantly, nurses at this level must be able to demonstrate a high level of skill and knowledge in the following areas: 1) The impact of analgesia and sedation on human organs and systems; 2) Recognizing the differences in respiratory rate and physiology as a result of sedation; 3) Identify specific complications that may compromise patient health, particularly at the pediatric level; 4) Determine an effective diagnostic profile and conduct interventions as necessary to impact patients at this stage; 5) Perform advanced cardiac life support at the pediatric stage when complications arise; and 6) Recognize the risks associated with this specialty profession and protect oneself from risk or harm through liability insurance (American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, 2015). From this perspective, there are significant benefits associated with procedural sedation for pediatric patients outside of the operating room; however, these procedures must possess a strong degree of control and an understanding of the risks that are involved at all levels. This process requires an examination of the key principles that govern the safety and efficacy of pediatric sedation, along with other factors that influence patient wellbeing at the highest possible level. This tool will also demonstrate the importance of pediatric sedation and how it must be conducted only under the direction of advanced practice nurses with specialty knowledge and expertise in this area.

Cost and Budget Justification

This position requires a high level of knowledge and expertise regarding pediatric sedation; therefore, the position warrants a full-time slot at 40 hours per week. The starting base pay for this position is $32.00 per hour, or $66,560 annually. This position requires a higher level salary due to the level of knowledge and expertise of the role and the risks that are associated with the duties that are performed.

Basis Upon Evaluation

There is a significant need to achieve a high level of attention to detail in order to be successful in fulfilling the responsibilities of the position with expert knowledge and resources. The ability to administer sedatives and analgesics to this patient population requires skills and knowledge that will be achieved through specialty education and certification to meet the qualifications of the position. Monitoring all pediatric patients on a continuous basis is essential to meeting the requirements of the position, along with ensuring that patient safety is optimized at all times. An individual who is selected for the position must also be able to demonstrate a strong understanding of procedural requirements regarding the administration of sedatives in settings other than the operating room, along with routine monitoring of patients, administering medications as necessary, and providing support and guidance to the families of pediatric patients. It is important for the persons filling this position to demonstrate a high level of compassion and understanding of the challenges and risks of pediatric sedation and to be able to understand its impact on health and wellbeing for these patients. Discussing all options and sharing information regarding adverse events is also essential to this process in order to ensure that patients receive the appropriate care and treatment in a timely manner. Therefore, training and guidance regarding the needs of the patients who will be served is a critical factor in this role and in ensuring that nurses are skilled and prepared to treat patients in a high-risk environment without significant challenges.

Conclusions

The role of sedation nurse is a critical factor in advancing the objectives of pediatric sedation in the specialty care unit. A high level of specialty knowledge and training is required in this position in order to effectively manage the challenges of administering sedation techniques to pediatric patients. There must be a greater emphasis on the development of new ideas and approaches to improve the health and wellbeing of this high-risk population and in order to facilitate a positive and meaningful experience for patients and their families. Therefore, the appointment of an advanced practice nurse to fill the role of sedation expert is of critical importance to the pediatric specialty care unit as a means of addressing sedation needs for patients outside of the operating room. This process also demonstrates a need to educate nurses who are interested in this profession and who possess the skills and knowledge that are required to achieve success at this level through the promotion of patient safety and wellbeing as best as possible.

References

American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (2015). Registered nurses engaged in the administration of sedation and analgesia. Retrieved from http://www.aana.com/resources2/professionalpractice/Pages/Registered-Nurses-Engaged-in-the-Administration-of-Sedation-and-Analgesia.aspx

Lowrie, L., Weiss, A. H., & Lacombe, C. (1998, September). The pediatric sedation unit: a mechanism for pediatric sedation. – PubMed – NCBI. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9724678

Society for Pediatric Sedation (2015). Society for Pediatric Sedation Nursing Committee. Retrieved from http://www2.pedsedation.org/sections/resources/nurses.iphtml