Coming for a Procedure

On this site you’ll find important information and resources to help your child prepare for a procedure that requires sedation or anesthesia outside of the operating room at SickKids. This information is specific to children and families coming for procedures under the care of the Procedural Care Program (PCP). If you are coming for a procedure in the Operating Room, please visit Coming for Surgery for information.

While this resource provides general guidance, it is important to consult your health-care team for details specific to your child’s procedure and care.

Stop eating and drinking before anesthesia or sedation

Follow the fasting instructions indicated in the Eating & Drinking Guidelines (PDF) or the specific diet or fasting instructions provided by your care team. Your child's procedure may be cancelled if they have eaten or haven’t followed the fasting requirements for liquids.

Any food or liquid in your child's stomach while going to sleep under anaesthesia can flow up to the mouth and pass down into the lungs. This is very dangerous for them.

Watch a video explaining why NPO is important.

Prevent medication mistakes

Some medications cannot be taken with other medications or anesthetic. To make sure your child safely takes the right medications while at SickKids, doctors and nurses must understand all the medications your child takes at home. Please bring the following items with you:

Prescription medications
Over-the-counter medications
Cough/cold/allergy medications
Puffers
Herbal products, vitamins/supplements
Eye/ear drops
Creams
Recently stopped medications

Make it simple

We understand carrying medications may be difficult. Another option is to take photos of labels on each bottle or container of medication, ointment, vitamins, drops, etc. Ensure the dosage amount can be seen in the photo. You can take front and back photos if required.

8th Floor, 8C

Minor Procedure Unit (MPU)

4th Floor, 4C

4C Medical Short Stay Unit

Main Floor, Burton Wing

Eye (Ophthalmology)

People you may meet

On the day of your child’s procedure, you will be introduced to several members of our specialized team.

Anesthesiologist

The anesthesiologist is a specially trained physician (sometimes called the “sleep doctor”) who supervises all sedation and anesthesia care. They will manage the medications to keep your child asleep/sleepy, safe, and comfortable throughout the procedure.

Anesthesia Assistants (AAs)

Anesthesia Assistants (AAs) work closely with the anesthesiologist to help ensure your child’s care is safe, comfortable, and carefully monitored before, during, and after their procedure.

AAs are regulated health professionals (Registered Respiratory Therapists or Registered Nurses) who have completed additional specialized training in anesthesia. They practice under the supervision of an anesthesiologist and are endorsed by the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society.

AAs provide care in the operating room, recovery areas, and specialized procedure locations such as MPU, MRI, Image Guided Therapy (IGT), Ophthalmology Clinic, and more.

Nurses

Our nurses play a key role throughout your child’s visit. They complete the pre-procedure assessment, support the team during the procedure, and care for your child in the recovery area as they wake up. All procedural sedation nurses have completed specialized training.

Questions

If you have questions specific to your child's procedure, contact your surgeon or specialist's office directly.