Recovery and Discharge

• Removal of the painful stimulus may lead to an increase in the level of sedation during the recovery period.
  • This may be accompanied by the development of significant complications and therefore monitoring must be continued until the patient is awake and alert.
• The following serve as reasonable, safe standards for recovery and discharge:
  • Recovery should be supervised by trained staff and take place in an area which has adequate levels of monitoring and resuscitation equipment.
  • Vital signs should be monitored until the patient is awake and alert, and no longer shows evidence of respiratory depression.
  • A physician capable of managing the complications that may arise should be immediately available until discharge criteria have been met.
  • Patients should be observed until appropriate discharge criteria are satisfied [2]:
    • The patient is alert and orientated, and has returned to their baseline level of consciousness.
    • Vital signs are stable and within acceptable limits for that patient.
    • Respiratory status is not compromised.
    • Pain and discomfort have been addressed.
    • Sufficient time must have elapsed since the last administration of any reversal agent (up to 2 hours).
    • Patients should be discharged in the presence of a responsible adult who will accompany them home and be able to report any post-procedure complications.
    • They should be provided with verbal and written instruction about post-procedure diet, medication, and a phone number to call in the event of an emergency.

Discharge:

Learning Bites

• Vital signs should be monitored until the patient is awake and alert and the patient observed until specific discharge criteria are met.
• Patients should be discharged with written post-sedation advice and in the presence of a responsible adult who will accompany them home and be able to report any post-procedure complications.