Title: An evaluation of morphine use in obstetrics during a national shortage of diamorphine

Abstract:

Since the national shortage of diamorphine began in late 2018, preservative-free morphine has been used as an alternative adjunct to local anaesthetics in intrathecal blockade in obstetrics. An initial departmental audit following this enforced change to morphine established a statistically significant increased risk of PONV and reduced patient satisfaction compared with previous diamorphine use. A statistically significant link between intrathecal morphine and reduced post-operative oramorph use was also found. These finding correlate with the different pharmacodynamic profiles of the two drugs. The aim of our re-audit was to evaluate the way in which morphine use changed over time, following our initial audit feedback and with increased familiarity, within our department.

Biography:

Hana Damirji is an anaesthetics and intensive care trainee currently working at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage, UK. She completed her medical training in London, graduating from University College London in 2015 with distinction and also obtaining first class honors in Neuroscience iBSc. Previous publications include the initiation of a debriefing session for intensive care trainees, which NHS Improvement listed as one of the top 10 quality improvement measures of 2017. ​