We hope to help shape the future of our field by developing, conducting, and collaborating on clinical research trials at Norton Children’s Hospital.

In addition, our sedation department is a “platinum member” of the Society of Pediatric Sedation for our contribution to the Pediatric Sedation Research Consortium, a collaboration of approximately 30 leading children’s hospitals aimed at improving the safety and quality of pediatric sedation. This honor is shared by only three other children’s hospitals nationwide.

Many exciting research projects are underway in our department.

Several of these studies are independent projects while others are in collaboration with our Emergency Department physicians and Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeons.

Research Spotlight

Dr. Steven Auden is investigating novel ways to prevent emergence agitation, a common occurrence in young children anesthetized for ear tube placement.

Ongoing and Upcoming Research

Ultrasound-guided femoral nerve blocks with and without buprenorphine.
Dr. Steven Auden, Dr. Edin Jusufbegovic  and Dr. Benjamin Greenberg

Ultrasound-guided supraclavicular nerve blocks in children with distal arm fractures.
Dr. Steven Auden, Dr. Edin Jusufbegovic  and Dr. Benjamin Greenberg

Validation of the PAED Scale in children ages 6-36 months.
Dr. Steven Auden and Dr. Benjamin Greenberg

Validation and reliability of three emergence delirium assessment tools in young children.
Dr. Steven Auden and Dr. Benjamin Greenberg

Intranasal dexmedetomidine vs. fentanyl and placebo for the reduction of EA in children 6 mo-6yr having BMT.
Dr. Steven Auden and Dr. Benjamin Greenberg

Intranasal combination Dexmedetomidine and Midazolam for pediatric procedural sedation.
Dr. Benjamin Greenberg, Dr. Steven Auden and Dr. Evelyn Overbey

Nasal fiberoptic vs. ‘traditional’ intubation for dental procedures in children ages 1-10
Dr. Steven Auden

Neuromonitoring modalities and outcomes in surgery for complex congenital heart disease.
Dr. Julie McWhorter and Dr. Steven Auden