Safe sedation for the non-anaesthetist.

Sedation has become an essential part of many invasive medical procedures. However, over the years, there have been concerns about the safety of sedation techniques. Various combinations of drug-based and non-drug-based approaches are used for procedural sedation depending on patient factors and the anticipated discomfort associated with each procedure. The common denominator for successful practice for a sedationist is knowledge, adequate training and a mechanism for revalidation.