A shortage of epidural tubes used to provide pain medication primarily during labour and delivery is affecting most provinces, but supply issues seem to be worse in Western Canada, says the vice-president of the Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society.
Dr. Lucie Filteau said "murmurings" of a shortage of the tubes, or catheters, began recently on a private online page of about 300 anesthesiologists across the country.
"If the shortage is global, maybe it wouldn't make a difference. But I do think that on the communication side, on the supply-chain side and the protocols that exist, there's room for improvement." On average, about 50 to 60 per cent of pregnant women across Canada rely on epidurals to manage pain. The highest use, up to 80 per cent, is in urban areas where more anesthesiologists are available to provide that service, especially to those having their first baby, Filteau said.
While those techniques help "take the edge off," they're not as effective as an epidural, which is the gold standard in providing continuous pain relief, for hours or days, compared with a one-time injection, she added. The Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society has been communicating by email with members across the country and is planning a webinar next week to review alternative pain-relief techniques, Filteau said.
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