Who Should Sedate GI Patients?
Re: "Anesthesia and the New Economics of GI" (October, page 45). As an anesthesiologist who administers sedation for GI procedures, and as an administrator with many years of outcome and safety focus, I am convinced that the participation of an anesthesiologist is not only warranted in many cases, but can definitely improve throughput, safety and (let us not forget) patient comfort. If you ask any patient her preference, most would prefer — and pay for themselves — the added comfort and safety of having an anesthesiologist. All GI RNs with whom I have ever spoken do not wish to participate in the battle to let them give the inherently unsafe propofol. To say that you have had airway instruction from a GI doctor is questionable, especially from a liability perspective. Letting an RN administer propofol with GI oversight is a dangerous practice in my opinion. The hybrid model described in the article is an excellent solution, from both patient care and facility efficiency perspectives.

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