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Propofol is a powerful sedative useful for short procedures, such as dislocation reduction and cardioversion. However, because propofol induces deep sedation, its use in the emergency department is somewhat controversial and is a potential area of friction between anesthesiology and emergency departments. These authors describe the use of propofol for procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) at three emergency departments in different regions of the U.S. from 2002 through 2004. Each ED used an internal flowsheet for procedural sedation that was unique to that site.
During the study period, 792 patients received propofol for PSA. The recommended dose was 1 mg/kg as an initial IV bolus, with supplemental doses of 0.5 mg/kg IV as needed; the ave…