Objective To optimize the sedation management process for MRI procedures in outpatient children, and to improve their consultation efficiency and experience. Methods Children who underwent MRI examination in the outpatient department from June to July 2025 and were assessed to require procedural sedation were selected as the control group (n=80), receiving routine sedation care. Children examined from August to September 2025 were included as the observation group (n=80), receiving a structured, multi-touch, full-journey integrated intervention based on a journey map-optimized process. The two groups were compared in terms of total sedation process time for MRI procedures, first-time sedation success rate, children′s medical fear scores, incidence of adverse reactions, and family satisfaction. Results The total sedation process time of the observation group was significantly shorter than that of the control group, the medical fear score was significantly lower, and the first-time sedation success rate was significantly higher (all P＜0.05). The family satisfaction score in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P＜0.05). Conclusion Optimizing the sedation process for outpatient MRI procedures based on the journey map can effectively shorten the total sedation process time, reduce children′s level of medical fear, and improve the first-time sedation success rate and family satisfaction.