RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 A qualitative study of the barriers to procedural sedation practices in paediatric emergency medicine in the UK and Ireland JF Emergency Medicine Journal JO Emerg Med J FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and the British Association for Accident & Emergency Medicine SP 527 OP 532 DO 10.1136/emermed-2015-205418 VO 33 IS 8 A1 Siobhán McCoy A1 Mark D Lyttle A1 Stuart Hartshorn A1 Philip Larkin A1 Maria Brenner A1 Ronan O'Sullivan YR 2016 UL http://emj.bmj.com/content/33/8/527.abstract AB Introduction There is extensive literature on paediatric procedural sedation (PPS) and its clinical applications in emergency departments (EDs). While numerous guidance and policy documents exist from international bodies, there remains a lack of uniformity and consistency of PPS practices within EDs. PPS is now gaining traction in the UK and Ireland and this study aimed to describe existing PPS practices and identify any challenges to training and provision of ED-based PPS.Methods A qualitative approach was employed to capture data through a focus group interview. Nine consultants in emergency medicine (EM) participated, varying in years of experience, clinical settings (mixed adult and paediatric ED or paediatric only) and geographical location (UK and Ireland). The focus group was audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using Attride-Stirling's framework for thematic network analysis.Results The global theme ‘The Future of PPS in EM—A UK and Ireland Perspective’ emerged from the following three organising themes: (1) training and education of ED staff; (2) current realities of PPS in EDs and (3) PPS and the wider hospital community. The main findings were (1) there is variability in ED PPS practice throughout the UK and Ireland; (2) lack of formal PPS training for trainees is a barrier to its implementation as a standard treatment and (3) there is a lack of recognition of PPS at a College level as a specialised EM skill.Conclusions Establishment of PPS as a standard treatment option in the emergency setting will require implementation of robust training into general and paediatric EM training. This should be supported and enhanced through national and international collaboration in EM-led PPS research and audit.