title: Brief report: Availability of lipid emulsion in United States obstetric units.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lipid emulsion is recommended in the guidelines for the management of local anesthetic systemic toxicity. In this study, we sought to identify the current level of lipid emulsion availability in U.S. obstetric units.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey was developed addressing lipid emulsion availability and sent to U.S. obstetric anesthesia directors in June 2011. Univariate statistics were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 69%. Lipid emulsion was available in 88% of the units (95% confidence interval, 73%-94%). At least 95% of respondents had lipid emulsion available in <30 minutes (100% of n=68).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  U.S. academic obstetric anesthesia units are equipped to administer lipid emulsion in the setting of local anesthetic systemic toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Center for Healthcare Equity/Institute for Healthcare Studies, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and Department of Anesthesiology, University of Illinois Hospital and Health Science System, 251 E. Huron St., F5-704, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. p-toledo@md.northwestern.edu
authors.forename: Paloma
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Toledo
authors.forename: Heather C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Nixon
authors.forename: Jill M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mhyre
authors.forename: Cynthia A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Weinberg
mesh_terms: D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000639:trends; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000009:adverse effects; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D011247:Pregnancy; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous