The principles of handover are the same for nerve blocks and infiltrations - hand over the drug and dosage used, and any special care required (e.g. positioning, top up analgesia).

For spinal/epidural – hand over the level of block, the cardiovascular stability and any plans for continuous infusion on the ward.

Provide instructions for management of the patient who becomes hypotensive or has other related complications of spinal/epidural. For example, fluids may be prescribed for the patient who becomes hypotensive, or it may be more appropriate to inform the anaesthetist first.

Each hospital should have a standard prescription form for continuous epidural infusion for the ward, which should also contain an emergency contact number and instructions for what to do if complications arise.