Entonox Awareness Training

Because Entonox is classed as a medicinal product, it must be handled with the same care and legal responsibility as any other drug.

Whenever Entonox is given to a patient, you’re legally required to keep proper documentation. You must include details, such as:

• The time Entonox was administered
• The patient’s condition before, during, and after use
• The amount of gas used, if known
• Any effects or side effects observed, and
• Whether the gas was effective in managing pain

This information is usually recorded on a patient report form or in an electronic care record system. Complete, accurate documentation protects both the patient and the professional, and provides an essential record for any later reviews, investigations, or audits.

Everyone who handles Entonox has a duty of care. This includes making sure it’s stored correctly, kept within expiry dates, and only administered when appropriate.

Only properly trained healthcare providers working under legal authorisation can administer Entonox, and it must be part of your organisation’s official Medicines Management Policy.

Since Entonox is a compressed gas and contains substances hazardous to health, its storage falls under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations or COSHH. This means that cylinders must be stored securely to prevent them from falling, kept away from extremes of temperature, and clearly labelled.

Regular checks must be made to make sure the cylinders, and all related equipment, remains in safe working order. Your organisation must have clear policies and provide appropriate training for all staff that are involved in handling Entonox.

And if you are administering Entonox, you are personally responsible for following procedures correctly, reporting faults or incidents, and making sure that you only use the gas as you’ve been trained to.

Following these standards keeps you and your patients safe, protects you legally, and helps maintain public trust in healthcare and emergency services.