The right choice of anaesthetic gases - the environment!

RE: The right choice of anaesthetic gases - the environment!

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Sat, 18 Mar 2023 02:27:46 GMT

I've never seen nitrous oxide used since leaving veterinary school over 50 years ago.

Oh, yes, the midwife brought the Entonox thing each time my wife gave birth at home, but didn't use it.

I might just mention – I know, we've been here before – but the least isoflurane (and oxygen, for that matter) is wasted by an in-circle vaporiser machine.

RE: The right choice of anaesthetic gases - the environment!

Joyce Whitehead — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 18:14:55 GMT

Yes several hospitals no longer allow the use of “gas and air” during birth, I think the main risk is miscarriage in staff or early labour. So understandable, but hopefully they will find an alternative for mother’s to be. I’ve actually never worked with nitrous since university 40 years ago!

RE: The right choice of anaesthetic gases - the environment!

Chris Geddes — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 14:53:43 GMT

There were some hospitals that stopped using Entonox in maternity suite whilst they investigating the impact on staff at the unit. I mean fair enough in a way but, poor mothers.

RE: The right choice of anaesthetic gases - the environment!

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 23:15:53 GMT

Is anyone still using nitrous?! Not seen it for a very long time. Wonder what proportion of use is via vets, versus human obstetrics, ambulances, St John's ambulance etc as Entonox.

Happy plodding on with my old friend iso.

RE: The right choice of anaesthetic gases - the environment!

Bob Russell — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 12:58:25 GMT

Love the bit about efficient control of pharmacuetical waste! Anyone told the VMD?

eg:10ml Ketamine bottles used where 5ml bottles are appropriate (at least one corporate). The idea that solutions for euthanasia have a fixed life once opened??

RE: The right choice of anaesthetic gases - the environment!

Carl Bradbrook — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 09:20:19 GMT

Really important to start discussing the impact of anaesthetic management (and other aspects of our practice) on the environment. There are some great resources available via the AVA website https://ava.eu.com/sustainability

RE: The right choice of anaesthetic gases - the environment!

Bob Russell — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 15:21:59 GMT

Low flow could be done a bit better. Really only considered a change because of comments made on the radio regarding the use of Desflurane. I had no idea the NHS were so far behind the times. Shocked at how bad N2O appears to be!

Last time we were completely and utterly fleeced when our on-site service happened. That was without calibration!

RE: The right choice of anaesthetic gases - the environment!

Rob Loxley — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 13:45:47 GMT

Our iso vaporisers get checked every year when the machine gets its annual service; I'd happily invest in ongoing annual servicing on site. They may be old but why is that a reason 'per se' to replace them?

Having said that, there are a number of companies that will send you a spare while you post yours back to be serviced/checked/calibrated.

Are you adopting true low-flow techniques, as that will probably make the biggest environmental impact