Procedural Sedation

During certain procedures where staying still is critical for the most accurate test results, sedation ensures your child will be calm, relaxed and always pain-free.

Appointments & Referrals

Pediatric Sedation Services are available by referral from your primary care doctor or pediatrician.

Once you have the referral, call our dedicated sedation scheduler who can answer any remaining questions, and help guide you through the process-from setting up an appointment, to what to expect when you arrive. If a diagnostic study or procedure has already been scheduled for your child, you can confirm that sedation services have also been scheduled by calling Pediatric Sedation Services between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. at 206-215-5974.

About this service

Our Pediatric Sedation team includes seasoned intensivists as well as other experts who provide all levels of sedation to meet the full range of pediatric needs. No matter what your child's age, we go out of our way to make your child feel safe and secure. That includes staying with your child during the entire procedure, and monitoring all of their vital signs-from heart rate and blood pressure to respiratory rate, oxygen saturation of the blood and carbon dioxide emission.

Sedation states

Depending on the procedure or diagnostic test being performed on your child, your pediatric intensivist will use one of three sedation states.

Minimal sedation: Your child will be awake and will respond normally to verbal commands, however, he or she may appear disoriented and have slurred speech. Movement may be uncoordinated, but respiration and heart rate are unaffected.

Moderate Sedation: Your child will respond purposefully to verbal commands such as "open your eyes," and push away when touched. Respiration and heart rate remain stable.

Deep Sedation: Your child will be unconscious and not easily aroused. He or she may require assistance with breathing. In addition, blood pressure may be reduced, and heart rate is maintained.