diff --git a/src/ioc/db/dbScan.c b/src/ioc/db/dbScan.c
index 08c5c4af3..272b185b0 100644
--- a/src/ioc/db/dbScan.c
+++ b/src/ioc/db/dbScan.c
@@ -580,6 +580,28 @@ unsigned int scanIoRequest(IOSCANPVT piosh)
     return queued;
 }
 
+unsigned int scanIoImmediate(IOSCANPVT piosh, int prio)
+{
+    io_scan_list *piosl;
+
+    if (prio<0 || prio>=NUM_CALLBACK_PRIORITIES)
+        return S_db_errArg;
+    else if (scanCtl != ctlRun)
+        return 0;
+
+    piosl = &piosh->iosl[prio];
+
+    if (ellCount(&piosl->scan_list.list) == 0)
+        return 0;
+
+    scanList(&piosl->scan_list);
+
+    if (piosh->cb)
+        piosh->cb(piosh->arg, piosh, prio);
+
+    return 1 << prio;
+}
+
 /* May not be called while a scan request is queued or running */
 void scanIoSetComplete(IOSCANPVT piosh, io_scan_complete cb, void *arg)
 {
diff --git a/src/ioc/db/dbScan.h b/src/ioc/db/dbScan.h
index cd9666348..8bd2bba22 100644
--- a/src/ioc/db/dbScan.h
+++ b/src/ioc/db/dbScan.h
@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@ epicsShareFunc int scanpiol(void);
 
 epicsShareFunc void scanIoInit(IOSCANPVT *ppios);
 epicsShareFunc unsigned int scanIoRequest(IOSCANPVT pios);
+epicsShareFunc unsigned int scanIoImmediate(IOSCANPVT pios, int prio);
 epicsShareFunc void scanIoSetComplete(IOSCANPVT, io_scan_complete, void *usr);
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus