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Monitored anaesthetic care

This is for patients that have a procedure scheduled to be done with monitored anaesthetic care.

A medical procedure where you are given strong drugs while under the care of an Anaesthetist. This will help you to tolerate procedures by making you more relaxed and sleepy. Although you will not go fully to sleep, you will feel that you have been. Most people cannot remember very much about their treatment afterwards as they will not have pain during their procedure, and are usually comfortable afterwards.

How will my monitored anaesthetic care be done?

Your Anaesthetist will put a small cannula or “drip” into one of your veins (usually in your arm or the back of your hand) and connect intravenous (IV) fluids. You will have monitors connected to your chest or back, upper arm and thumb, which will enable staff to closely keep track of your vital signs during the procedure. You will also have a thin plastic tube placed near to your nose which allows you to get additional oxygen and allow your Anaesthetist to monitor your breathing. In some cases a clear plastic mask is used, but this will be discussed with you before the procedure begins. The small cannula allows you to have both sedative and pain relieving medications, which will continue until your procedure is over. Once completed, the sedative medications will be stopped and you will be allowed to wake up.

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Frequently asked Questions

  • You cannot have anything to eat for at least 6 hours before your procedure. Please do not chew gum or eat sweets during this time.
  • You cannot have water for at least 2 hours before your procedure
  • Please bring a list of medications that you take regularly.
  • Please let your doctor know if you usually take any Blood thinning medications, Clopidogrel, Apixaban, Warfarin or Aspirin or Medications for diabetes like insulin
  • Please bring a responsible adult with you as they will need to escort you home. It is also advisable to have a responsible adult stay with you for 24 hours after your procedure.

    If you have not already been seen by an Anaesthetist, one will see you in the waiting area to ask you a few questions about your medical history and discuss the sedation procedure with you.
  • The risks of conscious sedation are generally very low but you should be aware of them.
  • Levels of oxygen in the blood may fall due to slightly reduced breathing while you are sedated. You may be asked to take deep breaths and given additional oxygen to correct this.
  • There may be slight soreness and bruising at the site where the cannulae is placed, but this usually resolves in a day or two.
  • Rarely, some people may temporarily feel nauseated or vomit after their sedation.
  • There is also a very rare risk of allergic reactions to the sedative drugs you have been given.
  • Your Anaesthetist will be with you throughout your procedure to monitor you and ensure that you remain safe and pain free.

Once the sedation has fully worn off and you are less sleepy then you will be able to go home, usually within 1-2 hours. You will need to have a responsible adult to accompany you home and remain with you for 24 hours after sedation.

Even though the strong medications used for your sedation would have worn off before you are discharged, you may still feel a little confused, sleepy, dizzy or clumsy. This is not unusual, but may take some time to go away so please follow this advice over the next 24 hours:

  • Please have a light meal and get some rest. You need to remain in the care of a responsible
    adult.
  • Do not do any activity that requires you to be alert and coordinated like driving a car, operating heavy machinery or appliances like an oven or kettle or sporting events.
  • Do not drink any alcohol or take any sleeping medications.
  • Do not make any important decisions, such as signing contracts or major purchases for the next 24 hours.

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