Follow-up

Follow-up is an important part of the pediatric sedation process. Follow-up may be performed in several different ways, such as a telephone call, direct contact with the patient and family, a mailed questionnaire, or an in-person visit (e.g., inpatient). Adverse events that occur after the postsedation discharge and are reported during the follow-up process should be documented in the medical record, because this is important and useful information for future sedation encounters. During follow-up some of the topics for discussion with the parent may include any change in the child’s activity level, appetite, sleep pattern, or behavior. An evaluation of patient/family satisfaction may be incorporated into the follow-up.