New consensus statement on sterile gown use in single-shot spinal anaesthesia
The consensus statement, “Use of sterile gowns for single-shot spinal anaesthesia”, developed by ANZCA and other anaesthesia organisations, was released at the World Congress of Anaesthesiologists (WCA) conference.
The new joint consensus statement was developed jointly by the Association of Anaesthetists, Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA), the Obstetric Anaesthetists’ Association (OAA), Regional Anaesthesia UK (RA-UK), the College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland (CAI) and the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA).
Throughout the international anaesthesia community there is wide variation in the use of sterile gowns when undertaking single-shot spinal anaesthesia. In order to provide clarity on their use, a working group was formed, with ANZCA well represented by Environmental Sustainability Network (ESN) Executive Chair Dr Archana Shrivathsa. The recommendations outlined in the joint statement align with ANZCA's PG28 Guideline on infection prevention and control in anaesthesia (2025).
For more information, please email ESN.
Keen to hear more about environmental sustainability?
If you’re attending the 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) please join us for the ESN session, “Getting our own house in order – sustainable anaesthetics” on Tuesday 5 May 2026 from 11am–12.30pm.
