Anesthesia Professional: An anesthesiologist (MD), nurse anesthetist (CRNA), or anesthesiologist assistant (AA). Cited source: Statement on Granting Privileges for Administration of Moderate Sedation to Practitioners Who are Not Anesthesia Professionals (Approved by the ASA House of Delegates on Oct 25th, 2005, and reaffirmed on Oct 13th, 2021)
Non-anesthesiologist Sedation Provider : A licensed physician , dentist or podiatrist who has not completed post graduate training in anesthesiology but is specifically trained to personally administer or supervise the administration of moderate sedation. Statement on Granting Privileges for Administration of Moderate Sedation to Practitioners Who are Not Anesthesia Professionals (Approved by the ASA House of Delegates on Oct 25th, 2005, and reaffirmed on Oct 13th, 2021)
Supervised Sedation Professional: A licensed registered nurse, advanced practice nurse or physician assistant who is trained to administer medications and monitor patients during moderate sedation under the direct supervision of a non-anesthesiologist sedation practitioner or an anesthesiologist. Statement on Granting Privileges for Administration of Moderate Sedation to Practitioners Who are Not Anesthesia Professionals (Approved by the ASA House of Delegates on Oct 25th, 2005, and reaffirmed on Oct 13th, 2021)
Credentialing: The process of documenting and reviewing a practitioner’s credentials. Statement on Granting Privileges for Administration of Moderate Sedation to Practitioners Who are Not Anesthesia Professionals (Approved by the ASA House of Delegates on Oct 25th, 2005, and reaffirmed on Oct 13th, 2021)
Guidelines: A set of recommended practices that should be considered but permit discretion by the user as to whether they should be applied under any particular set of circumstances. Statement on Granting Privileges for Administration of Moderate Sedation to Practitioners Who are Not Anesthesia Professionals (Approved by the ASA House of Delegates on Oct 25th, 2005, and reaffirmed on Oct 13th, 2021)
Sedation Continuum: The American Association of Anesthesiologists (ASA) defines sedation as a continuum- with 4 distinct levels of measurement: Level of Consciousness, Airway patency, Ventilatory function, and Cardiovascular status. Cited source: Continuum of Depth of Sedation-Definition of General Anesthesia and Levels of Sedation/Analgesia (Approved by ASA House of Delegates on October 13th, 1999, and last amended on October 23, 2019)
Minimal Sedation (Anxiolysis): A drug-induced state during which patients respond normally to verbal commands. Although cognitive function and physical coordination may be impaired, airway reflexes, and ventilatory and cardiovascular functions are unaffected. Cited source: Continuum of Depth of Sedation-Definition of General Anesthesia and Levels of Sedation/Analgesia (Approved by ASA House of Delegates on October 13th, 1999, and last amended on October 23, 2019)
Moderate Sedation/Analgesia ( New term for “Conscious Sedation”): A drug-induced depression of consciousness during which patients respond purposefully to verbal commands, either alone or accompanied by light tactile stimulation. No interventions are required to maintain a patent airway, and spontaneous ventilation is adequate. Cardiovascular function is usually maintained.** *Reflex withdrawal from a painful stimulus is NOT considered a purposeful response. Cited source: Continuum of Depth of Sedation-Definition of General Anesthesia and Levels of Sedation/Analgesia (Approved by ASA House of Delegates on October 13th, 1999, and last amended on October 23, 2019)
Deep Sedation/Analgesia: A drug-induced depression of consciousness during which patients cannot be easily aroused but respond purposefully following repeated or painful stimulation. The ability to independently maintain ventilatory function may be impaired. Patients may require assistance in maintaining a patent airway, and spontaneous ventilation may be inadequate. Cardiovascular function is usually maintained. Cited source: Continuum of Depth of Sedation-Definition of General Anesthesia and Levels of Sedation/Analgesia (Approved by ASA House of Delegates on October 13th, 1999, and last amended on October 23, 2019)
General Anesthesia: A drug-induced loss of consciousness during which patients are not arousable, even by painful stimulation. The ability to independently maintain ventilatory function is often impaired. Patients often require assistance in maintaining a patent airway, and positive pressure ventilation may be required because of depressed spontaneous ventilation or drug-induced depression of neuromuscular function. Cardiovascular function may be impaired. Cited source: Continuum of Depth of Sedation-Definition of General Anesthesia and Levels of Sedation/Analgesia (Approved by ASA House of Delegates on October 13th, 1999, and last amended on October 23, 2019)
Procedural Sedation and Analgesia (PSA): technique of administering sedatives or dissociative agents with or without analgesics to induce a state that allows the patient to tolerate unpleasant procedures while maintaining cardio respiratory function. PSA is intended to result in a depressed level of consciousness that allows the patient to maintain oxygenation and airway control independently.”