Results of a pediatric sedation program on head MRI scan success rates and procedure duration times.

The purpose of this study was to determine if a pediatric sedation program improved head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan success rates and procedure duration times compared with the year preceding the program. Sedation was successful in 189 (85.1%) of 222 children before the program compared with 211 (98.1%) of 215 children during the program (P < 0.001). Mean procedure duration times for head MRI scans with and without contrast were shorter in the program compared with before the program (58.7 +/- 1.4 min versus 71.8 +/- 3.0 min, P < 0.001, and 46.7 +/- 1.2 min versus 58.5 +/- 1.9 minutes, P < 0.001, respectively). No major complications occurred during the 15-month period in the sedation program. We conclude that sedation for pediatric MRI, managed by an organized pediatric sedation program, is highly successful, efficient, and safe.