Local anaesthetics and assistants

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After recently graduating I am a little confused about whether a podiatrist needs an assistant on hand when using LA on a patient? or can it be done alone in a clinic if there is use of a phone for emergencies etc.. Practicing in Britain.

Thanks

 

It might be different from country to country, but I doubt it. Ive never heard of an assistant being required when there is Local is being used in the different countries Ive wroked in - but double check with your countries Pod associated to make sure, but as alot of Pods are single prac. with no reception. I don´t think an assistant is required.

 

Hello Kegz

In the U.K., you are not required by law to have an assistant with you when carrying out L.A.

However, you are also not required by law to have a chair with a back which drops down, or to have epinephrine available and certainly not oxygen. However, if you were to have the misfortune to have a patient with a severe reaction and were taken to court you would have to justify yourself on the basis of the Bolam principle.

I do not think that you would enjoy the support of your colleagues if you did not put in place at least some of these measures. Clinical responsibility is not a case of some big bad person hitting you with a stick for inappropriate actions but rather you determining how you should practice in safety.

All the best

Bill Liggins