Use of Entonox in the community for control of procedural pain

Nitrous oxide gas, mixed 50:50 with oxygen, is an effective and safe analgesic which, although widely used in many areas of clinical practice, has not been fully recognized in the community setting for painful procedures. The reasons why it has not been implemented and used to the patient's advantage have been suggested as apathy, lack of confidence, lack of knowledge and lack of resources. The author describes how, following a review of the literature pertaining to its use in other clinical areas, she has successfully introduced nitrous oxide/oxygen into her trust, with positive results.