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Wed, 6 Feb 2002 11:38:21 +1100

Suxamethonium is still readily available and widely used.  There is no other
reasonable substitute for the "occasional intubator" who has the knowledge
and skills to attempt oro-tracheal intubation.  We do not refrigerate Sux in
our ED - it is stable for at least a month at our room temperature (about 18
- 20 degrees) and so cheap we simply replace it on the 1st day of each
month. How often do you need to undertake a pharmacologically assisted
intubation? - or any intubation for that matter?  What other airway
management techniques are available to you in your setting?  I would feel
very uneasy about using paralysing agents without trained assistance and a
clear fall back plan.

Dr Peter Arvier
Director Emergency Department
North West Regional Hospital
PO Box 258 
Burnie    Tasmania    7320
Tel 03 64306633
Fax 03 64 306691
Email: peter.arvier@dchs.tas.gov.au
  

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Camiile and Matt [SMTP:camillematt@bigpond.com]
> Sent:	Tuesday, 5 February 2002 20:51
> To:	trauma-list@trauma.org
> Subject:	Replacing Sux
> 
> Hi, 
> I am a Remote Area Nurse in Australia (600km from our regional hospital
> and 1500km to the nearest Level 1 facility) We have recently been advised
> the Sux is no longer being produced as the demand for it has reduced due
> the the major users prefering more long acting drugs. As a remote nurse I
> am often working alone or with one other (not always a nurse or doctor)
> and would prefer to use sux as it is short acting in case I can't get a
> tube in as atleast teh patient should start breathing by themselves in a
> short time rather than me having to bag teh patient whilst trying to do
> dozens of other things at teh same time. My question is does anyone know
> if sux is replacable by another drug with the same quick but short action
> that is stable enough to manage travel out to the clinic in varying
> temperatures over two days?
> Thanks Matt Mason
> Remote Area Nurse
> Amata Clinic
> Central Australia

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Replacing Sux