What is Entonox?蜜桃直播�
Entonox is the trade name for 蜜桃直播済as and air蜜桃直播� or 蜜桃直播渓aughing gas蜜桃直播�, which is used as a form of pain relief.蜜桃直播厶抑辈ク
It蜜桃直播檚 comprised of oxygen and nitrous oxide and is commonly used in areas, such as acute trauma, labour wards, community settings (home births), as well as during wound dressings and suturing.蜜桃直播厶抑辈ク
Entonox is administered through a mouthpiece: when the patient inhales, a valve opens and allows the gas to be released 蜜桃直播� however, vapours can also be released into the room.蜜桃直播�
What are the risks?蜜桃直播�
Members might inhale Entonox in what蜜桃直播檚 known as occupational exposure, when working with a patient who is using it to manage pain and the room is poorly ventilated.蜜桃直播�
This can lead to adverse health effects including a decrease in mental performance, audio-visual ability and manual dexterity.蜜桃直播�
Members might even experience addiction to Entonox, and over time, the gas can prevent the body from absorbing vitamin B12, leading to anaemia and other neurological effects.蜜桃直播�
Bowel distension, ear damage and a reduction in fertility have also been noted as symptoms.
What can employers do about it?蜜桃直播�
Employers have a legal duty to assess the risk of staff being exposed to Entonox, including during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
The Health and Safety Executive has set a workplace exposure limit (WEL) for concentrations of Entonox in the air and this should not be exceeded.
Examples of suitable control measures may include improving ventilation or the use of gas scavenger units.蜜桃直播厶抑辈ク
In addition, employers should ensure staff are suitably trained and that control measures are monitored to check their effectiveness.
What can safety reps do?蜜桃直播厶抑辈ク
RCN representatives can ask their employers to provide assurances that Entonox exposure is being managed and kept as low as possible.蜜桃直播厶抑辈ク
, which reps can bring to their employers, that outline in greater detail what control measures might entail.蜜桃直播厶抑辈ク
How do I raise concerns?蜜桃直播厶抑辈ク
Members can contact RCN Direct if they wish to talk further about their exposure concerns. Our employment relations team can also step in and provide information and advice. Our health and wellbeing team can be emailed at hswteam@rcn.org.uk
