Non-Invasive Pediatric Sedation Services

At Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital, we recognize that children have special needs and may have a heightened sense of anxiety when it comes to certain medical procedures. Because of this, our pediatric staff offers sedation services for certain diagnostic testing procedures such as MRI, CT scan, bone scan, EEG, bronchs, VCUG, AVRs and hearing tests.

Sedation will decrease fear and anxiety in your child, allowing for a more relaxed procedure and experience. It is our goal to help your child remain at ease during any procedure. The sedations are performed by our pediatric intensivists. To schedule a pediatric moderate sedation, call (318) 769-7607

General Sedation Instructions
(If you are unable to follow these requirements, it may be necessary to reschedule the procedure.)

Arrival
It is very important that you are on time for your procedure. Please allow enough time for parking and traffic. Upon arrival, go to the Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital Admission Desk, located in the Atrium.

You should arrive two hours prior to the scheduled procedure. For example, if your procedure is scheduled for 8 a.m., you should arrive at 6 a.m.

Fasting
Do not eat prior to sedation.
If you are concerned that your child will be hungry, we  strongly encourage that he or she wake up four hours prior to the procedure to drink a clear liquid such as apple juice.

For example, a 2 year old child scheduled for an 11 a.m. procedure should wake up at 6 a.m. for juice or other clear liquid, but no food.

If your child is an infant, you will need to be prepared to feed him/her after the procedure.

Wait Time
The expected amount of time needed for sedation and testing procedure is 2-4 hours.

Recovery
When possible, please do not bring other children to the hospital. The child undergoing the procedure will need all of your attention.