Project “CoolSticks®,Cool Block, Cooler Earth! ”- A step towards a sustainable future.

Sivaramakrishnan S1 , Pilsbury J1

1 Department of Anaesthesia, Birmingham Women’s Hospital, Birmingham, UK

Introduction: 

CoolSticks® (CS) are a cheaper and environmentally sustainable alternative to Ethyl Chloride (EC) sprays to check sensory neuraxial blockade (SNB)1. We would like to share our experience with CS at a tertiary care obstetric unit in UK.

Methods:

After audit committee approval and Standard Operating Procedure formulation, CS were introduced  in the obstetric theatres and usage monitored. Pre-trial and post-trial clinician surveys were conducted, concerns identified and addressed .

Results:

Obstetric Theatres: 

Reduction in ECS usage:        51 %

Monthly savings:                    £ 530 

Projected annual savings:    £ 6360

BWH Trust :

Projected annual savings:  £ 11,520

Projected annual CO2 savings: 9792 kg eCO2

                                                 (= 38,304 miles)

• Average usage of ECS in Obstetric theatres before introduction of CS: 52 cans/month
• Average usage of ECS in Obstetric theatres after introduction of CS: 25.5 cans/month (Dec’23-March’24)
• Average usage of ECS in Trust: 94 cans/month
• 1 can= 17 kg eCO2²
• 1 can = 76 miles²

Conclusion: 

We have demonstrated CS to be cost-efficient, sustainable and having a good operator acceptability without compromising patient care. We hope our work helps to allay apprehensions about operational challenges encountered using CS and encourage the use of CS as the preferred option for testing SNB. We intend to implement CS in other areas of the Trust and further reduce the usage of EC sprays, paving way for a sustainable future.

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