Access to epidurals in Nova Scotia is not at risk amid a global shortage of the catheters needed to carry out the procedure.
The IWK Health Centre has taken to Twitter to reassure expecting parents that the supply is “currently stable.”
Epidurals are commonly used for pain management during childbirth.
It is likely that Nova Scotians have heard of a possible epidural catheter shortage. We would like to reassure the public that IWK Health and @HealthNS supply is currently stable and we anticipate shipments in the near future.
— IWK Health (@IWKHealth) August 4, 2022
Epidurals can also provide pain management for other procedures including major abdominal and chest surgeries.
Nova Scotia is set to receive additional shipments of the catheters soon.
Health Canada says it was alerted to a limited supply of the equipment on July 18th with an estimated end date of December 30th, 2022.
