Key result
Among 296 surveyed UK paediatric anaesthetists, 57% reported decreased nitrous oxide use over the last 5 years, and 54% considered theatre pollution a problem.
Why the study?
What are the attitudes and practices regarding nitrous oxide use among paediatric anaesthetists in the UK?
Cross-Sectional (n=296)
Yes
What are the attitudes and practices regarding nitrous oxide use among paediatric anaesthetists in the UK?
A majority of surveyed UK paediatric anaesthetists report decreasing use of nitrous oxide, largely influenced by potential deleterious effects on patients and concerns about theatre pollution.
May signal rising environmental concerns in UK paediatric anaesthesia; leaves open effects on outcomes and need for prospective studies.
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.
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Sheraton et al. (2006) conducted a cross-sectional in Paediatric anaesthetic practice (n=296). Nitrous oxide use survey was evaluated on Attitudes to use, current usage, and availability of alternatives. Among 296 surveyed UK paediatric anaesthetists, 57% reported decreased nitrous oxide use over the last 5 years, and 54% considered theatre pollution a problem.
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