Ontario epidural shortage paired with nursing crunch could have a ‘cascade effect’ on childbirth – CTV
Aug. 24, 2022
Ontario health-care workers say the shortage of epidural catheters paired with staffing crunches spanning the province could have a “whole cascade effect” on pain and anxiety during childbirth.
Ontario Health told CTV News Toronto approximately 16 per cent of hospitals in the province reported less than a week’s worth of epidural catheters on Aug. 17 when provincial inventory was last surveyed – up two per cent from Aug. 10.
An epidural catheter, or tube, is used to administer pain medication most commonly during childbirth. A global supply shortage of the device hit western Canada in late July and has surfaced locally in recent weeks.
“The majority of these sites have not flagged their level of supply as an urgent concern,” an Ontario Health spokesperson said.
While there is variability in supply across the province, Ontario Health said in all cases to date, shortages have been resolved by sharing between hospitals or escalating requests with suppliers.
