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The use of nitrous oxide in paediatric anaesthetic practice in the United Kingdom: a questionnaire survey *
Author(s) -
Sheraton T. E.,
Gildersleve C. D.,
Hall J. E.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.2006.04857.x
Subject(s) - nitrous oxide , medicine , good practice , anesthesia , pediatrics , engineering , engineering ethics
Summary Nitrous oxide pollution is common in paediatric anaesthetic practice. A questionnaire was sent to all UK members of the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists requesting details of three areas of their paediatric practice relating to nitrous oxide: attitudes to its use; current usage; and availability of alternatives. Replies were received from 296 (68%) consultants. Of these, 169 (57%) stated that their use of nitrous oxide had decreased over the last 5 years. One hundred and fifty‐eight (54%) considered theatre pollution a problem in paediatric anaesthesia. One hundred and sixty‐nine (57%) reported that in normal circumstances potential deleterious effects on patients influenced their use of nitrous oxide, whilst only 70 (24%) felt potential effects on staff influenced usage. Fifty‐five (18%) felt there should be some restriction in the availability of nitrous oxide.