inspiring canadians to live better.

healthing leaf

inspiring canadians to live better.

healthing leaf
get healthing in your inbox with the morning checkup and weekender newsletter!
home / 世界杯决赛2022

sha asks expectant families to prepare for epidural catheter kit shortage

the shortage is north american-wide, according to a release issued by the saskatchewan health authority.

by regina leader-post

jul 21 2022
read time 2 minute read
join the conversation
the regina general hospital in regina, saskatchewan on april 6, 2021. brandon harder / regina leader-post
expectant families are being asked to review pain management options with their doctors ahead of an expected shortage of epidural catheter kits in saskatchewan.
the shortage is north american-wide, according to a release issued by the saskatchewan health authority on wednesday.
“this supply-chain issue may impact the ability for care teams to provide labour epidural analgesia for pregnant women, epidural anesthesia for cesarean sections, and epidural analgesia and anesthesia for intraoperative and postoperative use in general,” the release notes.
the kits are primarily used by anesthesiologists to manage pain in women as they labour and deliver, the release continues, in addition to pain management for major abdominal and chest surgeries.
“our patients are at the centre of everything we do,” dr. mateen raazi, sha provincial department head of anesthesiology, said in the release. “we are committed to the best possible stewardship of the resources available to us in these challenging times in order to provide the highest quality care for our patients. there are many ways we can help with safe and effective pain management for our patients having surgery and for our pregnant patients in labour.”
powered by
canadian centre for caregiving excellence

advertisement

alternative pain control methods include medications through spinal, inhaled, intravenous, or intramuscular injection, the sha said, adding pain can also be reduced through local anesthetic nerve blocks, therapeutic touch, breathing, and positioning techniques.
the sha says it is working to “secure further supplies” and ensure care teams are optimally utilizing existing supplies. there are several medical considerations where the use of an epidural improves the health and well-being of both mother and baby, the release notes, adding it is critical that supply is maintained to reduce risks for those patients.
“the primary goal of the obstetrical care team continues to be safe and compassionate care for our patients, newborns, and their families,” dr. joanne sivertson, sha provincial department head of obstetrics and gynecology, said in the release. “we are committed to working as a team to provide therapeutic management and pain control that is individualized to the needs and goals of the patient. we are working to ensure equitable access to pain control and to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. we are keeping your care providers informed as developments occur.”

for more information on methods of pain control during labour and delivery, visit momsandkidssask.saskhealthauthority.ca .

powered by
obesity matters

advertisement

“the sha thanks everyone for their patience and understanding as the care team work to provide safe care and clinically prioritize access to supplies across our province,” the release said.
the news seems to be flying at us faster all the time. from covid-19 updates to politics and crime and everything in between, it can be hard to keep up. with that in mind, the regina leader-post has created an afternoon headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox to help make sure you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. click here to subscribe.

comments

postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. we ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. we have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. visit our community guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.