[MEOPA use practices in a university hospital: Which conformity?]

MEOPA (equimolar mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide) is used for its analgesic and anxiolytic properties in order to obtain conscious sedation of the patient when performing painful care. It is subject to an enhanced pharmacovigilance and addictovigilance monitoring. In this context, it is important to dispose of hospital utilization data. This work aims to assess the compliance of the use of nitrous oxide regarding the recommendations of the summary of product characteristics, in a French university hospital (Nantes) and consider possible improvements.

Transversal descriptive study, conducted in 2014 with all health professionals using MEOPA.

Two thousand thirty-four health professionals answered the questionnaire ; durations of administrations are in conformity and the premises are generally appropriate but almost 60% of professionals have the feeling of inhaling the drug. The systematization of the prescription (always or almost always prescribed for 67% of professionals) and traceability of use (always or almost always in the patient's file for 71% of professionals) are potential source of improvement, particularly since 18% of professional health reported "abuse demands" from patients.

The formation and information of health professionals are major issues of good use of nitrous oxide.