Learn from the following speakers about how to reduce Entonox waste and staff exposure in your departments.
Entonox is a valuable, versatile analgesic, with unique properties to support women in labour. However, N2O is a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. 1kg N2O ≡ 298kg CO2 . N2O is exhaled virtually unchanged and remains stable in the atmosphere for 115 years. Entonox is an occupational hazard for staff. It is associated with miscarriage and B12 deficiency. A significant proportion of Entonox is wasted before it even reaches the patient, in the pipework and the bedheads.
“Environmental and occupational harms of Entonox, the Scottish approach to mitigating loss and what we have learned” - Alifia Chakera
Alifia Chakera is the Head of Pharmaceutical Sustainability with Scottish Government’s Health and finance Directorate. Alifia has a long-standing commitment to reducing health inequalities, health system strengthening and improving decision-making frameworks to become more sustainable. Her award-winning work on medical nitrous oxide mitigation has transformed the way we supply and manage this agent globally.
“Entonox mitigation journey” Hull Royal Infirmary - Marc Beaumont
Marc Beaumont has been in the field of sustainability and energy management for over 20 years both in private and public sector roles. As sustainability lead at HUTH Marc has been involved in the Zero30 campaign, projects in support of this include a 5MW solar PV farm and significant reductions in nitrous oxide use.
“Minimising occupational exposure” - Theresa Hughes, Retired NHS Trust Principal QA Pharmacist
Theresa has over 30 years’ experience as Quality Controller for medical gases. She continues as QC(MGPS) testing Medical Gas Pipeline Systems and personal nitrous oxide monitoring. She is Course Director for the Pharmaceutical Medical Gas Training courses organised by Leeds University. Theresa is a member of the NHS Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Committee Medical Gas Group.
"Catalytic Entonox cracking - real world experience" - Dr Katy Whitehouse, anaesthetist, Newcastle Hospitals
Katy Whitehouse is a consultant obstetric anaesthetist at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne. She has an interest in sustainability and is part of the Born Green team - working to reduce the environmentally harmful effects of healthcare. Out of work Katy is a mum to 2 gorgeous boys who keep her very busy indeed!
Q+A
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