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Written by:
Stacey Cornelius,
Indianapolis Account Manager
For some patients, an imaging exam can be
challenging to complete because of claustrophobia, difficulty lying
still
or the need to be in a position that is painful due
to injury. CDI offers sedation, monitored by professionally trained
staff, to assist them through their exam and to make it as comfortable
an experience as possible.
CDI believes in the practice of using sedation only when
necessary for the good of the patient and when it is the one way to
acquire the necessary images for their physician. In most cases, we are
able to talk patients through their exam successfully without sedation,
as a technologist remains in contact with the patient throughout the
entire exam. Sometimes, our patients use music, mirrored glasses or eye
masks provided to them for comfort. Our high-field short bore MRI also
helps patients with claustrophobia, as the scanner is about one half the
length of a traditional MRI, and most patients can see out outside of
the scanner during their exam.
The need for sedation should be indicated to CDI when scheduling.
Adult patients and children over the age of five need a note from their
referring physician's office ahead of time indicating there are concerns
and that sedation may be needed. For children under the age of five, CDI
will prescreen them to determine if sedation may be necessary.
Sometimes, patients are not aware that the exam may be uncomfortable for
them until they arrive. We can still offer them sedation as an option,
however depending on timing we may need to reschedule the exam. Patients
with special needs are evaluated by a CDI professional as to whether
sedation will be appropriate.
CDI uses different methods of administering sedation to patients.
For adults and children over the age of five, we use oral or IV
sedation. The potency is the same and puts the patient into a state of
sleepiness, however an IV sedation will take effect much faster and for
some patients this is necessary. For children under the age of five, we
use deep sedation that puts them into a deep sleep for the amount of
time necessary to complete the imaging exam. Children under 18 months
are given sedation in a liquid form. Children over 18 months and younger
than five years, will receive deep sedation via IV or IM (intervascular
or intermuscular).
Minimal preparation is required on the part of a patient for the
use of sedation. Adults and children older than the age of two cannot
eat or drink four hours prior to the exam, and children under the age of
two – cannot eat or drink for three hours prior. CDI will administer
sedation when the patient arrives for their exam, unless your office
prefers to provide them with it directly. In these cases, we ask that
the patient take the sedation one hour prior to their appointment.
(Note: if a referring office provides the sedation, they are legally
responsible for the patient's reaction). Patients will need a driver in
all cases.
After an exam, written instructions are provided. A light diet is
recommended and they should be monitored four to six hours after the
exam to make sure they do not fall asleep. Sedation does not have any
major side effects.
For more information about sedation, please call CDI at
317-846-0717.
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