Procedural Sedation and Analgesia in the ED: Focusing on Deep Sedation

Many emergent procedures could not be performed without appropriate sedation and analgesia. The emergency physician’s skills are especially well suited to the safe administration of such sedation, including deep sedation. The agents most frequently used are discussed herein, along with recent events surrounding EP access to these medications. The author also considers practical concerns that should be addressed before, during, and after procedures involving sedation.