Survey of anaesthetists' practice of sedation for gastrointestinal endoscopy

Abstract

We conducted a survey of Australian specialist anaesthetists about their practice of sedation for elective and emergency gastroscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and colonoscopy. A 24-item survey was emailed to 1,000 anaesthetists in August 2015. Responses were received from 409 anaesthetists (response rate = 41%) with responses from 395 anaesthetists analysed. Pulse oximetry and oxygen administration were routine for all procedures for all respondents. Blood pressure was routinely measured by most respondents during gastroscopy (elective = 88%; emergency = 97%), ERCP (elective = 99%; emergency = 99%) and colonoscopy (elective = 91%; emergency = 98%). The airway wa..