Tools, Techniques, and Medications for Procedural Sedation in Children

This article has been amended to include factual corrections. An error was identified subsequent to its original publication. This error was acknowledged on page e84, volume 55, issue 2. The online article and its erratum are considered the version of record. The practice of safe and effective procedural sedation in children requires a comprehensive sedation plan that accounts for procedural requirements, as well as patient-specific needs. When tailoring a sedation plan, a combination of nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic tools is often required, and within each group, many different options exist. This article presents a high-level overview of the most commonly employed tools, such as preparatory techniques, distraction modalities, nonpharmacologic analgesia, and comfort positions, as well as common sedatives, adjuncts, and combinations. With a focus on practical application and tool-specific nuances, this article serves as a valuable resource for practitioners aiming to develop or expand their procedural sedation skillset, as well as those who do not currently practice procedural sedation but want to gain a better understanding of this evolving field.