Observations on 10,000 patients in the immediate postoperative period.
During an 18 month period 10,103 patients were admitted to the recovery unit after surgery at a district general hospital. The majority of patients (62%) recovered rapidly from anaesthesia, but 36.5% required up to 2 h before they could return to the wards, and 1.5% required close supervision for more than 2 h. The patients' requirements during the recovery period are discussed, and suggestions on the equipment, staffing and organization of a recovery unit are made.
D000628:Aminophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001285:Atropine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D009270:Naloxone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011997:Recovery Room; D006113:United Kingdom
D000700:Analgesics; D000932:Antiemetics; D000628:Aminophylline; D009270:Naloxone; D001285:Atropine