What to Expect During Your Sedation Services Appointment

Prepare Your Child and Yourself

Use simple words your child will understand. Encourage your child to discuss feelings and ask questions about the upcoming experience but be careful not to force a discussion if your child does not seem ready. Be honest. If you do not know the answer to your child’s question, tell your child that you do not know, but that you will find out. Be aware that your visit may take a minimum of two to three hours. It is helpful to bring items to distract, entertain and comfort your child before and after sedation. Remain calm and take care of yourself. You will be able to provide better support for your child if you are rested and comfortable. The sedation process will be discussed during your entire visit, so there should be no surprises. Bring a spouse, a friend or a family member with you, but try to leave younger children at home and keep your party small to decrease stimulation in your child’s room. A second person will be very helpful during your journey home when your child is still groggy.

Picture Story

The Sedation Story was developed by Kalyani Raghavan, MBBS, MD, DCH, FAAP and Jennifer Twachtman-Bassett, MS, CCC-SLP with a grant from Autism Speaks. Click here to download a PDF version.

medical center frontage — I am going to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center for a special test. I have to go to Sedation so that I can be asleep for my test. I can bring my blanket and a special toy with me.

cc emergency room entrance — We will leave our car with the valet or in the parking garage.

welcome desk - security greeting — First, we will go to the front desk. We will get stickers with our names to put on our clothes.

child checking in — I will put the sticker on my shirt. My Mom will get a sticker too!

walking down the hall of medical center — Then we will walk down the hallway to Sedation.

check-in desk patient checking in — We are at Sedation! We will go to the check-in window. My Mom will tell the receptionist that I am ready for the test.

patient receiving bracelet — She will give me a bracelet to put on my wrist. The bracelet will have my name!

child waiting in patient room — I can watch TV or play with some toys while I am waiting to go in.

nurse greeting patient and family — Here is the nurse. She will take us inside.

child in office — First, I will stand on the scale to check my weight.

happy child waiting patiently on hospital bed — I will sit or lie down on the bed. The bed feels soft and comfortable.

parent with child on bedside — My mom will be right next to me. She will be with me the whole time! I can watch TV or play a game on an iPad if I want.

nurse with patient — The nurse will talk to us. She will listen to my chest with a stethoscope.

nurse checking patient's temperature — She will take my temperature by moving the thermometer across my forehead…

patient checked for other vitals — …ending below my ear! This might tickle, but it will not hurt.

medical photo of wire — She will put a sticker with a red light on my finger. This will not hurt.

patient's blood pressure is being checked — She will check my blood pressure by putting a cuff on my arm. It will feel like a tight hug. The nurse does this to keep me safe. I need to be still and keep my hands on my own body. Everyone will be happy if I follow directions.

cc doctor — A doctor will come to speak to us. The doctor will listen to my chest with a stethoscope and look into my mouth with a light. This will not hurt.

medical device — The nurse may use a syringe with a soft, white tip to put some medicine in my nose.

initial sedation steps through nasal — This will not hurt. It is okay to spit if I don’t like how it tastes.

sedation mouthpiece — The doctor may give me a mask that has the medicine in it. I can choose a special smell if I want to.

child being sedated — The mask feels soft on my face and it smells good! All I need to do is breathe and I will feel relaxed.

patients hand — Next, my nurse may put an IV in my arm or my hand. It will feel like a quick pinch. She will use special tape to keep the IV in place. The doctor needs the IV to give me medicine that will make me sleepy.

nurse giving patient slushy after procedure — When my special test is over, I will wake up. I may feel sleepy and tired. This is okay. When I am ready I will drink some juice, or I can get a slushy if I want one. It tastes great!

patient and parent exiting medical center — Now it is time to go home. Everyone is happy that I did such a great job in Sedation! Going to Sedation is not so hard. Now I know just what to do.

Before Sedation

Morning Prescription Medicines

If your child is on prescribed medications, you may give your child prescription medicine while he or she is still allowed to take clear liquids. Do not give your child medication with apple sauce or pudding. These are considered solid foods. Jell-O can be used as an alternative but only up to two hours before the procedure. Medications that are to be taken later in the day may be given after the child has completed the procedure and recovered from sedation.

Fasting

Sedation requires fasting before the procedure. Our triage nurse will call you several days before your child’s test or procedure to give you specific information about fasting.

The following are some general guidelines:

Food: Your child should eat no solid foods, including applesauce, pudding, gum or candy, after midnight the evening before the procedure.
Liquids: Your child can drink clear liquids, including water, apple juice or ginger ale, until four hours before your arrival time.
Breast milk: Children may have breast milk until 4 hours before the procedure
Formula: Children may have formula until six hours before your child’s arrival time. Do not add cereal. Do not use formula that has cereal already added.
Avoid brushing teeth or chewing gum as either will stimulate your child’s stomach secretions. Please be sure there are no snacks left in or around your child’s car seat.

Note: Orange juice is not considered a clear fluid.

What to Bring

To make sedation as easy as possible for you and your child, please bring anything you think will be comforting or entertaining during expected wait times. In addition, please remember to bring any communication systems your child may have. Our staff also wants to know of any ways we can support you and your child, so please tell us about your child’s likes and dislikes, concerns and needs.

Some suggestions that have worked for other patients and families:

Favorite book
Favorite toy
Favorite “snuggly” item (such as a blanket, binky/pacifier, doll or stuffed animal)
Favorite cup (if your child has a preferred cup)
Communication device, if your child uses one.
Activities to keep your child busy independently (such as puzzles, handheld devices and coloring books)
Sensory objects that are soothing for your child (such as squishy balls, teething/biting toys and sound-minimizing headphones)
A drink for after the procedure is complete if your child has specific preferences

On Appointment Day

We are located on the ground floor of Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in 1G. Valet parking is available at the front of the hospital. A typical visit to Connecticut Children’s Sedation Unit typically lasts a minimum of two to three hours. This includes registration, the procedure and recovery.

Please arrive 1 hour (60 minutes) before your child’s scheduled procedure. Our team needs this time to:

Complete the insurance registration.
Provide time for your child to be examined by a nurse and doctor.
Have medications ordered and double checked.
Have the sedation pre-medication take effect.
Allow for the IV catheter to be placed if needed.

Most procedures last approximately 30 to 60 minutes. Your nurse will be able to provide a time frame for you depending on your child’s procedure. Recovery will also last approximately one hour. However, each child is different, and some children wake earlier while others require longer recovery times. We suggest siblings stay at home to minimize distraction. If this is not possible, please bring toys, coloring books and favorite snacks to keep children entertained. After registration, one of our staff members will guide you and your child to an assigned sedation room. This staff member will measure your child’s weight and vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and temperature). A registered nurse (RN) will join you and will go over the sedation process with you. A physician will examine your child before sedation begins. They will also ask for your written consent for the procedure. A Child Life Specialist will help prepare your child for his medical procedure by using age-appropriate education and supportive activities. A Child Life Specialist is a professional trained to speak with children about the procedure.

After Sedation

Ask to be present before your child wakes from sedation, if allowed. When medically cleared, offer a preferred snack that has been approved by staff. Bring this item from home. Once your child is ready to leave, the nurse will give you instructions on how to care for your child at home. The nurse will also give you a number to call for any questions or concerns that arise after you go home. Some things to keep in mind:

Many children can have side effects from the sedation medication for up to 24 hours after their procedure. Be aware that they may be sleepy for several hours, they may have vomiting, and they may have some difficulty with balance.
Some children also have challenging behaviors for a few hours after sedation.
Some children may need to stay home from school the next day, so a plan should be in place just in case.
Wheelchairs are available to get your child back to your car once you are discharged. Feel free to bring a stroller if your child is small.
For your ride home, we discourage public transportation (bus or train) for the following reasons: your child may vomit, and your child may require mild confinement to maintain her safety. A car seat or seatbelt is ideal.