Safety of nurse-administered propofol sedation using PCA pump for outpatient colonoscopy in Chinese patients: a pilot study.

Background: To determine the safety and effectiveness of nurse-administered propofol sedation using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump in outpatient colonoscopy in a Chinese population.

Methods: From April to June 2005, 50 consecutive ASA class I or II patients aged 18-65 undergoing outpatient colonoscopy in an endoscopy centre of a regional hospital were prospectively recruited in this study. After a loading dose of 40-60 mg intravenous propofol, a mixture containing 14.