SummaryWe surveyed 102 maternity suites to investigate whether the guidelines of the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, for the use of anti-infective ®lters or fully disposable anaesthetic breathing systems for each patient, were being followed with regard to Entonox Ò equipment on labour wards. Of 100 units giving information (98%), only seven used ®lters and only two replaced tubing between cases. Our survey shows that the recommended policy is not being applied to Entonox apparatus in delivery suites.

With the expansion of patient data collection and storage, it is important for doctors to maintain an awareness of how to handle such data. DPT is not currently common practice. Our study suggests positive benefits from DPT, and we suggest it could improve the safety with which patient data is handled.