Clarification
The AAP Committee on Drugs and Section on Anesthesiology wish to clarify those portions of the Guidelines (Pediatrics 1985;76:317-321, August) that pertain to an intravenous line.
Under some circumstances (eg, very short procedures, availability of persons skilled in establishing intravenous lines in children), it may not be necessary that an intravenous line be in place. Therefore, the Guidelines are modified as follows.
In section II, "Deep Sedation," the recommendation should read:
Patients receiving deep sedation should have an intravenous line in place or have immediately available a person skilled in establishing intravenous infusions in pediatric patients.
In section III, "General Anesthesia: Intravenous Access," the recommendation should read:
Patients receiving ambulatory general anesthesia shall have an intravenous line in place or have immediately available a person skilled in establishing intravenous infusions in pediatric patients.
The following policy statement has been revised: