Entonox delivery improvement

Commonly referred to as “gas-and-air”, Entonox is best known in midwifery for its rapid and effective pain relief in the early stages of labour – taking the edge off painful contractions and allowing the mother to sustain her energy levels.

So effective is the drug that it is now used to relieve the pain and discomfort in a growing number of medical procedures including wound dressing, fracture manipulation and colonoscopy.

Entonox is self administered by patients using a two-way demand valve fitted with a mouthpiece. After reviewing the range of demand valves used by many hospitals and midwives, BOC Medical opted to introduce a new demand valve with a unique design made by medical specialist Carnét Medical, for use with BOC Entonox cylinders.

BOC Medical manager Gloria Jennings said: “Conventional demand valves rely on a separate bacterial filter fitted between the valve and the mouthpiece whereas Carnét use a clip-on exhalation valve to channel exhaled breath – with its bacteria and contaminants – away from the mouthpiece and the demand valve. The lowered resistance from this unique feature provides a greater flow of Entonox, is far more hygienic and means the patient gets more analgesic for the same amount of effort.”