Ms Claire Huxtable1, Ms Isabella Wilson1
1Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, , Australia
Biography:
Claire is an Advanced Clinical Podiatrist for Nail Surgery within the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network Podiatry Department. She is Endorsed for Scheduled Medicines and is currently undertaking a Masters of Research (Podiatry) at UniSA.
Abstract:
Endorsed for Scheduled Medicines (ESM) podiatrists within the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN) have successfully implemented the use of self-administered inhaled methoxyflurane (Penthrox® Green Whistle) into their toenail surgery clinics. This service offers public patients with needle phobia or procedural anxiety an alternative to a general anaesthetic in theatre, a first for public sector podiatry in Australia.
The use of Penthrox® enables ‘pain-free’ ingrown toenail surgery to be performed in Podiatry Outpatients, alleviating pressure on General Surgery waiting lists and theatre resources. This allows for significant cost savings to the public health system. It also expedites treatment for this cohort, reducing the risk of chronic infections and deterioration. Additionally, it minimizes the care needed while waiting for surgery.
Since the introduction of this initiative in 2023, clinicians have witnessed high rates of consumer satisfaction, as well as positive clinical and safety outcomes. Patient waiting times which were previously more than two years for toenail surgery in theatre, have been reduced to less than two months. Additionally, there has been a 67% increase in toenail surgery with Penthrox® between 2023 and 2024, highlighting the growing and sustained demand for this service.
A single-blinded, randomised, controlled trial is currently being conducted to evaluate the effect of self-administered Penthrox® on pain, anxiety, and patient satisfaction during local anaesthetic administration for patients requiring toenail surgery in Podiatry Outpatients. This aims to provide evidence to aid in the implementation of Penthrox® into other outpatient clinics and ultimately reduce demand on public surgical waiting lists.