Patient Recall After Procedural Sedation Is Uncommon

In an observational study, 7% of patients had immediate recall and 4% had delayed recall of the procedure.

One of the many benefits of procedural sedation is patient amnesia of the intervention. However, several studies suggest that some patients recall the procedure. In a prospective observational study, investigators in Australia assessed the incidence of immediate and delayed recall in 125 patients who underwent procedural sedation in an emergency department with a variety of single agents or combinations of agents.

Physicians and nurses observed whether patients grimaced or groaned during the procedure. After patients recovered from sedation, nurses administered a validated questionnaire to assess immediate recall. Delayed recall was assessed by telephone 72 hours after the procedure in 110 patients.

A grimace or groan was observed in 49% of p…

Reviewing Author

Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD