Question: Will I receive Diprivan (propofol), the same medication implicated in Michael Jackson's death as part of my next anesthetic?

Answer: It is very likely that you will receive propofol during your next anesthetic, be it sedation, commonly called "twilight sleep," for a minor procedure or general anesthesia for surgery. Propofol is a safe intravenous medication when used for its intended purpose of providing a state of sedation or general anesthesia. It has been used safely every day by anesthesiologists for this purpose for years. However, like many medications, it may have serious side effects. The potential effects of propofol on breathing and blood pressure cause its use to be carefully restricted even within hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Propofol has never had an indication as a home sleep aid.

No patient should ever receive propofol without appropriate constant monitoring of basic vital signs such as respiratory rate, pulse, blood pressure, and electrocardiogram. This standard also requires that an appropriately trained healthcare provider be present with the patient for every second they are receiving sedation or anesthesia.

In addition, as with most medical and surgical procedures, providing sedation or general anesthesia is restricted to physicians or other healthcare professionals specifically trained to do so. This is not a skill every doctor possesses or is required to possess.

Finally, propofol and other similar drugs should never be administered outside an appropriate facility. The provision of sedation or general anesthesia is limited in Pennsylvania to licensed facilities with the appropriate equipment and personnel readily available to care for patients safely. Adherence to these standards makes sedation and general anesthesia exceedingly safe for patients.

Should Michael Jackson's death be attributed to propofol, it likely occurred with blatant disregard to well established medical standards for the safe provision of sedation and anesthesia. Patients should only receive sedation or anesthesia from well-trained healthcare professionals who have extensive training and adhere fervently to the best standards of care in our area's healthcare facilities.

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