Search

All local anaesthetic solutions should be stored separately from intravenous infusion solutions, to reduce the risk of accidental intravenous administration of such drugs.^24,34

In the event of an adverse incident in the MRI scanning room, the patient should be removed from the scanning room without delay and immediate access to an anaesthetic preparation room or resuscitation area is required.⁵

If the consultant on call is not a neuroanaesthetist, there should be a clearly defined and understood process for the provision of specialist advice from neuroanaesthesia colleagues. Where possible, local arrangements should be considered to facilitate this telephone advice in non-neuroscience centres when required.

Continuity of care should be a priority in prolonged procedures and, when this is not possible, a formal documented process with some overlap should be in place for handover of clinical care from one anaesthetist to another.²

Protocols should be in place for the transfer of patients from isolated units who become ill unexpectedly. They should be moved safely and rapidly to a facility which provides an appropriate higher level of care.¹²

There should be arrangements or standing orders in place for agreed preoperative laboratory investigations. Support from laboratories or clinical testing services for risk assessment and optimisation of patients, will maximise the use of regional anaesthesia.42