Response to the national shortage of epidural medication bags
As part of the response to the national shortage of epidural medication bags a multidisciplinary team within the trust have reviewed all options so that we can continue to provide pain relief without interruption.
Reviewing all evidence, along with the range of products that have been offered to the trust from national sources, we will be moving to the use of an epidural medication bag with very slight differences from those currently in use. This remains a safe and effective option for pain relief.
This change in epidural medication bag, does result in a small increase in overall local anaesthetic dose. The use of higher doses of local anaesthetic for pain relief may be associated with a small increase in muscle weakness and instrumental delivery. The method in which epidural pain relief continues to be provided within our trust should minimise any potential side effects associated with the planned local anaesthetic dose change. With ongoing supply shortages we will continuously review and make changes where necessary.