ASA has recently enhanced its existing suite of moderate sedation education offerings to also include deep sedation for non-anesthesiologists. Why has ASA expended considerable time and resources to produce these high-quality products aimed at end-users who are not us? The first reason is to maintain the highest levels of patient safety. Physician anesthesiologists have the greatest level of expert medical knowledge regarding safe delivery of medical sedation for invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Having been pioneers in the development of pharmaceuticals, monitors and rescue algorithms, it is natural that we lead the way in educating our fellow health care providers in the safest use of these tools to the benefit of our patients.
The second reason is that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ruled that the director of anesthesia services must oversee sedation practices throughout the hospital. This places upon that individual the duty and authority to...