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Background and Aims • ‘Straight-leg raising (SLR) should be used as a screening method to assess motor block at 4 h from the last dose of epidural/spinal local anaesthetic’ OAA/AAGBI (1) • The Regional Anaesthesia Alert Bracelet (RAAB) is a patient safety initiative introduced at CWIUH, the first site in the Republic of Ireland, created by Dr. Rachel Mathers.(2) • A simple yellow wristband is attached to the patients arm following neuraxial anaesthesia or analgesia (NA) with the time to SLR noted. • The RAAB empowers and engages patients to improve safety by fostering a culture of partnership to minimize harm. (3)

Methods • Prospective data collection following patient and staff education on application of RAAB for all patients undergoing NA • Written questionnaire completed by 100 patients to reflect patient experience wearing a RAAB • Documented anaesthetic registrar bleeps to monitor increase in workload

Results 77 patients self-screened 4 hours following NA 97 patients reported active involvement in their healthcare 94 patients reported reassurance by wearing the bracelet 100 patients reported that wearing the bracelet did not cause anxiety 100 patients would wear the wristband again for the same procedure 1 anaesthetic registrar bleep, demonstrating no significant impact on workload

Conclusions • The RAAB is a simple, effective, patient safety initiative for monitoring complications after NA in obstetric patients • Patients are empowered and actively involved in safer obstetric anaesthetic care • This tool may be easily adapted to widespread perioperative practice, to facilitate the provision of safe neuraxial anaesthesia and peripheral nerve blocks