Emergency Spinal - Obstetrics

Quite obviously, similar to most spinal anaesthetic practices. This aims to provide a aide-memoire for out of hour (and in-hour!) practices where variability in all practitioners can exist. This is only ONE guide to providing a spinal anaesthetic and obviously is not made to replace AAGBI or OAA guidelines. It is something all staff can use to remind themselves of the equipment required and order things are done in. The BNF should always be used when prescribing medication and your patient may not be suitable for NSAID's or opioids OR stipulated antibiotic regimes due to contraindication or allergies. The post-operative analgesic regime is likely to vary a lot between hospitals depending on your local practices. 

Furthermore, this does not replace the need for preparation for a general anaesthetic. You should always be mentally and procedurally prepared that the patient is going to have to emergently go to sleep for delivery.

The key aim of this document is to provide a snap-shot of information to aid staff help the anaesthetic team in siting a spinal in the safest, quickest way possible in a time-pressured situation. It can be used by everyone to raise the question of whether something on this list is needed, or has been purposefully omitted.

Anaesthetic assistants and midwifery staff should be sensitive to the needs to the anaesthetist and the procedure, as, the baby cannot come out via c-section until the spinal is in and working. With everyone working together, this can be achieved more quickly.

It allows the questions to be asked such as, "Do you want the oxytocin infusion prepared?" well before the baby comes out, because you have consulted the list of often-needed medications and it has reminded you. It also prompts early discussion with the obstetric team.

Perhaps it is not a useful infogram for seasoned practitioners, but it is certainly useful for the junior team seeking to be as thorough as possible.