Specific safeguards where radiological examination involves anaesthesia or sedation
31.—(1)  Where a radiological examination requires the administration of an anaesthesia or a sedative to a patient, a radiological service licensee must ensure the safe administration and use of the anaesthesia or sedative, and that all of the following requirements are satisfied:
(a)the administration and use of the anaesthesia or sedative is in accordance with safety protocols implemented by the licensee, including a protocol requiring the minimal use of any anaesthesia or sedative for patients who are 12 years of age or younger;
(b)appropriate equipment is provided to sedate patients before the radiological examination;
(c)an appropriate device to monitor the patient’s vital signs is available for use during and after the administration of the anaesthesia or sedative to the patient;
(d)the patient’s vital signs are monitored during and after the administration of the anaesthesia or sedative and for an appropriate period after such administration;
(e)there are in place at any approved permanent premises, approved conveyance or temporary premises where the radiological service is provided resuscitation measures to be taken immediately for the patient (if required), including ensuring that —
(i)resuscitation equipment and resuscitation drugs are available for emergency use at the approved permanent premises, approved conveyance or temporary premises; and
(ii)one or more competent personnel of the licensee are present at the approved permanent premises, approved conveyance or temporary premises to carry out resuscitation on the patient;
[S 417/2023 wef 26/06/2023]
(f)the licensee keeps a record of the administration of the anaesthesia or sedative to the patient;
(g)the patient is discharged from the licensee’s care in accordance with the licensee’s policy on when a patient can be discharged after anaesthesia or sedation.
[S 417/2023 wef 26/06/2023]
(2)  A radiological service licensee must ensure that the administration of any specified anaesthetic to a patient is performed in the provision of a radiological service only by an anaesthesiologist.
[S 417/2023 wef 26/06/2023]
(3)  A radiological service licensee must ensure that before a specified anaesthetic is administered to a patient, an anaesthesiologist assesses that the patient is a suitable candidate for the administration of specified anaesthetics.
[S 417/2023 wef 26/06/2023]
(4)  In this regulation —
“deep sedation” means a drug-induced depression of a patient’s consciousness —
(a)during which the patient cannot be easily aroused but will respond purposefully following repeated or painful stimulation;
(b)where the patient’s ability to independently maintain ventilatory function may be impaired;
(c)where the patient may require assistance in maintaining a patent airway and spontaneous ventilation may be inadequate; and
(d)where the patient’s cardiovascular function is usually maintained;
“general anaesthesia” has the meaning given by paragraph 2 of the First Schedule to the Act;
“neuraxial anaesthesia” means the anaesthesia that is caused in a patient by the administration of an anaesthetic around the nerves of the central nervous system of the patient;
“specified anaesthetic” means an anaesthetic used to cause deep sedation, general anaesthesia or neuraxial anaesthesia.
[S 417/2023 wef 26/06/2023]