Anaesthesia
-
Multicenter Study
Availability of lipid emulsion in obstetric anaesthesia in the UK: a national questionnaire survey.
There is evidence that administration of lipid emulsion improves outcome in cardiovascular collapse secondary to local anaesthetic toxicity. We sent a questionnaire to the lead consultant anaesthetist in every consultant-led labour ward in the UK asking about local guidelines for treatment of cardiac arrest, and whether or nor lipid emulsion was available on the labour ward and included in the guideline. We received replies from 195 (86%) labour wards. ⋯ Of the 95 labour wards where lipid emulsion was readily available, 80 (84%) had a recommended dose regimen for its administration. Around three-quarters of labour wards in the UK either have lipid emulsion available or plan to obtain it. This uptake should ideally be 100%.
-
Multicenter Study
Monitoring during sedation given by non-anaesthetic doctors.
Conscious sedation is routinely performed by non-anaesthetic doctors. Although guidelines exist to help promote patient safety, it is not clear how stringently these are adhered to. We circulated a questionnaire to non-anaesthetic doctors in training to assess sedation practices. ⋯ Of respondents, 29% were Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certified; and 22% reported an adverse event. Two respondents experienced adverse events that required the assistance of an anaesthetist. The practice of sedation is not without risk, and doctors involved in the practice should be aware of, and adhere to, appropriate guidelines.