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Nitrous Oxide for Office Procedures

Nitrous oxide mixed with oxygen is the ideal analgesic agent for office procedures because of several unique factors.

1. Safety. The safety of nitrous administration has been proven by a very long history of use. At the concentrations used clinically (<50% nitrous), patients can maintain communication with the health care team thus receiving instructions and giving feedback all the while holding the mask or mouthpiece on themselves (Self-administered Nitrous Oxide or S.A.N.O.).

There is no risk of apnea, loss of airway reflexes, or unconsciousness. Accordingly, the American Society of Anesthesiologists Task Force on Sedation and Analgesia by Non-Anesthesiologists excludes nitrous below 50% from the requirements for monitoring, emergency equipment, training, and many other safety requirements that are necessary for moderate or deep sedation.

2. Benefits. Analgesia, anxiety relief, amnesia.

The analgesia is profound and the most significant effect of nitrous. At 20% nitrous concentration, the agent is equivalent to 15 mg of morphine IV, but without the risk of respiratory depression or long duration of action.

These effects last only during the administration of nitrous and quickly disappear once it is discontinued. Thus, patients can safely drive themselves home soon after a procedure … as has been the practice in dentistry for decades.

3. Easy to use and Training. There is no need for extensive specialized training. The on-site in-service provided by the experienced Nitrouseal® team … which features using nitrous “hands-on” on actual patients … provides a solid foundation going forward for safely and effectively administering nitrous in any office setting.

4. Economics. The capital equipment, disposable single-use mask or mouthpiece/breathing circuits, and gases are inexpensive compared to other medical devices. The economic benefit becomes even more compelling when one considers that there is no need for time in a recovery room, or long post-procedure monitoring, such as with other forms of sedation.

5. Efficiency of Practice. Nitrous administration improves the efficiency and productivity of a medical office. There is no need to have patients rescheduled to come back to the office when “Anesthesia” will be present to administer sedation. Procedures can now be done when the need arises. Physicians can be seeing other patients, or completing office work, while patients are being prepared for a procedures with S.A.N.O. Painful minimally-invasive procedures can now be done safely in Med Spas, dermatology offices, and plastic surgery offices increasing patient satisfaction and revenue for the office.

6. Vastly Improved Patient Experience.

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