The exposure of midwives to nitrous oxide in four hospitals was measured with personal samplers. In three of the four hospitals the average exposure was not-significanty less than 100 parts per million (ppm). In one hospitalthe average exposure was 360 ppm; -this was reduced-by a factor of about 2.5 when a trial scavenging system was used. Differences in working practices and in the layout, size, and ventilation of the labour suites contributed to the observeddifferences in average exposure.-Midwives and other staff working in the labour room are potentially -at risk-from excessive occupational exposure to nitrous oxide.

No abstract

The provision of intensive-care facilities for patients in transit can present problems. We describe our novel approach to these in which we have added facilities to a standard bed which is used for the transfer of patients. This may also be a cost-effective method of providing intensive-care equipment to beds at any location.

No abstract

No abstract