Please confirm that an ethics committee approval has been applied for or granted: Not relevant

Background and Aims Ethyl chloride spray is the mainstay of assessment of neuroaxial blockade in obstetric anaesthesia, but its use is controversial when more sustainable, greener and we argue, cheaper, alternatives are available, such as the CoolSticks.

Methods This project combined a literature review, user satisfaction survey and a quarterly review of financial implications after CoolSticks were used to assess neuroaxial blockade instead of Ethyl chloride spray.

Results During the period of January – April 2024, CoolSticks were used in obstetric theatres instead of Ethyl Chloride spray at our trust, saving 1676.84KgCO2e and £2095.02 compared with the previous quarter (excluding the one-off purchase cost of the CoolSticks). Our user satisfaction survey showed 97% of obstetric anaesthetists were confident with the use of the CoolSticks for assessing dermatomal level, with a 100% of patients accepting its use clinically.

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Abstract EP028 Figure 1

CoolStick survey results

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Abstract EP028 Figure 2

Ethyl Chloride purchasing data

Conclusions We established that CoolSticks were superior to Ethyl chloride spray in both cost effectiveness and user satisfaction, whilst removing the health risks associated with the use of the spray. Due to the success of the CoolSticks, it is now used as the first line method of assessing neuraxial block at our obstetric unit. Our goal is now to role out the use of CoolSticks trust-wide, including areas such as orthopaedics and trauma, to help reduced anaesthetic-related environmental pollution whist saving funds.