LOCAL-ANESTHESIA FOR CANNULATION - HAS PRACTICE CHANGED

A questionnaire study was undertaken to assess the influence of recent ly published, simple and conclusive research on the practice of anaest hetists in four centres. The research had clearly demonstrated the ben efit of subcutaneous infiltration of local anaesthetic in reducing the pain of intravenous cannulation. Of the 81% who responded, 71% were a ware of the research; 43% of these anaesthetists had altered their cli nical practice as a result of the research and 73% used local anaesthe sia for cannulae of 18 gauge or less, compared with only 46% of those who were unaware of the research. Practice comparisons were made betwe en centres and grades of anaesthetist. Senior house officers were sign ificantly less likely to be aware of the research than other grades. A nomalies were identified between the apparent awareness of the researc h and routine practice agreeing with the study findings. The value of research and the incorporation of clinical findings into everyday prac tice is discussed.