Innovative Use of Perianesthesia Nurses in Imaging Services: Meeting the Needs of Children With Disabilities

A new imaging center was established within a children's specialty hospital that provides services for children and adults with childhood-onset disabilities. New services in this advanced imaging center include computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, fluoroscopy, and ultrasound. Individuals with disabilities are particularly at risk for complications during procedures requiring sedation and anesthesia. The perianesthesia nurses' role was developed to support the sedation needs of this population during imaging services. Perianesthesia nurses developed an advanced imaging screening process to prepare patients for sedation during imaging services. With these processes, the new Advanced Imaging Center is providing timelier and better coordinated imaging services.

Keywords: sedation, imaging services, pediatrics, disabilities