Epidurals and their care on a surgical ward
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Whiteman, Abigail; Stephens, Robert CM
- Source
- British Journal of Hospital Medicine; February 2010, Vol. 71 Issue: Supplement 2 pM41-M43, 3p
- Subject
- Language
- ISSN
- 17508460; 17597390
An epidural is a small catheter that is placed blindly into the epidural space. Local anaesthetics and other analgesics injected through the catheter act locally on the nerve roots and also directly on the spinal cord. In acute hospitals, epidurals are often the domain of the anaesthetist but it is important that all specialties know how to appropriately advise patients and recognize complications. This article gives a general overview of epidurals and their care on a surgical ward for the non-anaesthetist.