The American Society of Anesthesiologists has defined Monitored Anesthesia Care (see Position on Monitored Anesthesia Care, updated on October 17, 2018). The continual appraisal of the effects of sedative or analgesic medications on the level of consciousness and on cardiac and respiratory function is an integral element of this service. Physicians providing moderate sedation must be qualified to recognize “deep” sedation, manage its consequences and adjust the level of sedation to a “moderate” or lesser level. Such drug- induced depression of a patient’s level of consciousness to a “moderate” level of sedation, as defined in the Joint Commission (TJC) standards, is intended to facilitate the successful performance of the diagnostic or therapeutic procedure while providing patient comfort and cooperation. During Moderate Sedation the responsible physician typically assumes the dual role of performing the procedure and supervising the sedation. During Moderate Sedation, a physician supervises or personally administers sedative and/or analgesic medications that can allay patient anxiety and limit pain during a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure. Moderate Sedation/Analgesia (Conscious Sedation hereinafter known as Moderate Sedation) is a physician service recognized in the CPT procedural coding system.
Last Amended: Octo(original approval: October 27, 2004)