Pediatric Procedure Sedation Center at Dell Children’s
When sedation is needed for your child's imaging scan, test or procedure, our experienced care team at Dell Children’s Medical Center, part of Ascension Seton is ready to deliver the care your child needs. The Procedure Sedation Center is designed for children who need sedation for procedures done outside of the operating room in a clinic or an outpatient office setting, but with the added layer of support with pediatric anesthesia. We provide pediatric sedation care for children of all ages – from infants (1 month and older) teens and young adults. And our care team is experienced in caring for children with special and complex medical needs. Our goal is to help your child have a calm, relaxed experience during necessary tests and procedures. Working with certified child life specialists, we help reduce stress, anxiety, and pain associated with tests and procedures. We offer both medication and non-medication therapies. At Dell Children’s Medical Center our care team is dedicated to providing your child with the care and support they need.
Pediatric sedation just for children
With the most pediatric specialty care in Central Texas, doctors and care teams at Dell Children’s Medical Center have the expertise to deliver the specialized care your child needs. Our care team includes a pediatric anesthesiologist, certified pediatric sedation nurses, and patient care technicians. We work closely with other pediatric specialists in the hospital. Your child’s care team works together to perform the test or procedure your child needs. By getting to know your child and family, we create a care plan that’s right for your child.
The Pediatric Procedural Sedation Center at Dell Children’s Medical Center has two procedure rooms. Each room is designed for procedures that can be performed in a doctor's office with the additional support of sedation, if needed.
Our team most commonly provides sedation for procedures, tests and conditions such as:
- PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) line placement
- Gastroenterology procedures, such as impedance probe placement
- Lumbar punctures
- Wound debridement and dressing changes
- Wound vac change and take down
- Burn care
- Incision and drainage of abscess
- Wound closure with suture
- Clinical trials for new medicines
- Neurological evaluation and testing, such as electromyography (EMGs) and muscle biopsies
- Other tests and procedures
You will be with your child in a pre-procedure room until your child is ready for their test or procedure. We take the time to explain to you and your child what to expect in a way they can understand.
During their procedure, you can wait close by in the waiting area. We will bring you back to be with your child as soon as their procedure is done.
Connected to child life specialists at Dell Children’s Medical Center
Certified child life specialists may also be part of your family’s care team. Child life specialists may work with our care team to help explain procedures and tests to your child. When your child is feeling anxious about tests or procedures, child life specialists can provide positive distractions to help calm them. This can help reduce stress and fears and can help your child and family cope with being at the hospital. Your child life specialist helps your child feel comfortable while they are receiving care – focusing on their mental and emotional health needs.