| 8. Sedation and Monitoring |
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| n = number of cases where information was provided |
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MONITORING PERSONNEL
| Key point |
In 3% of cases the endoscopist alone was responsible for monitoring the patient during
the endoscopy. |
94% (1,707/1,818) told us who monitored the patient. Someone other than a doctor was responsible for monitoring most patients, and this was a nurse in 84% (1,439/1,707) of cases and an operating department assistant in ten cases. It is expected that a non-medical practitioner can effectively monitor the patient during endoscopy provided they
have been sufficiently trained. This means at least they will have received formal training
and undergo regular updates in resuscitation and revalidation of knowledge1.
In 3% (58/1,707) of cases the endoscopist was the only person responsible for monitoring the patient. It is unacceptable that the person performing an endoscopy should also be responsible for monitoring the condition of the patient. Guidelines of the BSG state that
the endoscopist is responsible for the wellbeing and clinical observation of the patient ‘in conjunction with another individual’ (our own emphasis)2 14, and the Academy of the Royal Colleges1 state that one member of the care team must have a defined responsibility for patient observation and record keeping. This individual should be dedicated to monitoring
the patient and have no other responsibilities during the endoscopy. The name, specialty and grade of the person responsible for monitoring the patient should be clearly recorded
on the endoscopy report.
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