Exposure to waste anaesthetic gases (WAG) in New Zealand veterinary practices: Staff awareness and experiences
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Authors
Prior, Lauren
Duncan, J.
Clutton, R. E.
Duncan, J.
Clutton, R. E.
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Date
2024
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Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation
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Keyword
New Zealand
veterinary clinics
waste anaesthetic gases (WAG)
veterinarians
occupational health and safety
anesthetics
veterinary clinics
waste anaesthetic gases (WAG)
veterinarians
occupational health and safety
anesthetics
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Prior, L., Duncan, J., & Clutton, R. (2024, December, 2-6). Exposure to waste anaesthetic gases (WAG) in New Zealand veterinary practices: Staff awareness and experiences [Poster presentation]. ITP Research Symposium 2024 + OPSITARA 2024, Auckland, New Zealand
https://hdl.handle.net/10652/6884
Abstract
Waste anaesthetic gases (WAGs) are produced when humans and animals are anaesthetised with volatile anaesthetic gases. Veterinary staff may be exposed to WAGs when means of disposal are inadequate or fail. Chronic exposure may have adverse health implications. Therefore, clear WAG regulations and management protocols protecting staff are desirable. That these exist and are practised in NZ veterinary clinics is unknown. An online questionnaire was distributed among NZ veterinary staff to i) determine the measures taken by clinics to mitigate occupational exposure to WAGs; and ii) the level of staff awareness of associated hazards. There were 153 respondents; 87 (56.9%) were veterinary nurses, 41 (26.8%) were veterinarians and 25 (16.3%) were student veterinary nurses. Most respondents (80.4%, n=123) worked within general practice/first-opinion clinics, and small animals (cats and dogs) were the most treated animals (86.3%, n=132). Overall, 73.2% (n=112) of respondents reported experiencing at least one symptom of WAG exposure in their clinic. Almost all respondents (96.73%, n=148) indicated they were unaware of any existing legislation or safe practising guidelines surrounding WAG management in NZ. Over half (66%, n=101) of respondents stated that the anaesthetic machines in their clinics were serviced at least once per year. Regular low-pressure tests were performed in 86.9% (n=133) of respondents’ clinics, whilst only 65.4% (n=100) and 63.4% (n=97) reported performing medium and high-pressure tests. Over half (62.8%, n=96) of respondents reported that WAGs were passively scavenged without suction. Passive diffusion monitors for WAGs were used in 1.3% (n=2) of respondents’ clinics. High levels of acute WAG exposure symptoms were experienced by NZ veterinary staff, indicating a potential health and safety concern. Variations in WAG mitigation measures and awareness were also noted. Further research is required to understand the extent of exposure to aid in implementing WAG minimum safe practising guidelines in NZ veterinary clinics.
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