Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 1647.1
Use of Moderate Sedation
Redline — January 1, 2011 → current.View current text →
Current — January 1, 2019
As of January 1, 2011
(a) As used in this article, “conscious sedation” means a minimally depressed level of consciousness produced by a pharmacologic or nonpharmacologic method, or a combination thereof, that retains the patient’s ability to maintain independently and continuously an airway, and respond appropriately to physical stimulation or verbal command.
“Conscious sedation” does not include the administration of oral medications or the administration of a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen, whether administered alone or in combination with each other.
(a) As used in this article, “moderate sedation” means a drug-induced depression of consciousness during which a patient responds purposefully to verbal commands, either alone or accompanied by light tactile stimulation, no interventions are required to maintain a patient’s airway, spontaneous ventilation is adequate, and cardiovascular function is usually maintained.
(b) The drugs and techniques used in conscious sedation shall have a margin of safety wide enough to render unintended loss of consciousness unlikely. Further, patients whose only response is reflex withdrawal from painful stimuli shall not be considered to be in a state of conscious sedation.
(b) The drugs and techniques used in moderate sedation shall have a margin of safety wide enough to render unintended loss of consciousness unlikely. Further, patients whose only response is reflex withdrawal from painful stimuli shall not be considered to be in a state of moderate sedation.
(c) For the very young or handicapped individual, incapable of the usually expected verbal response, a minimally depressed level of consciousness for that individual should be maintained.
Official source: California Legislative Information. Reproduced from public-domain California statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.