title: Modifications to the postanesthesia score for use in ambulatory surgery.
abstract: The Aldrete Score has withstood the changes in anesthesia and surgical care that have developed in the past three decades. Nevertheless, it is imperative that (1) a modification is made to incorporate the most effective monitor of the respiratory and hemodynamic functions, e.g., pulse oximetry; and (2) the five indices previously used be expanded by incorporating five more indices including dressing, pain, ambulation, fasting/feeding, and urine output to evaluate patients undergoing ambulatory surgery and anesthesia. A patient's recovery from anesthesia and surgery, using 10 indices graded 0, 1, or 2, would provide criteria for street fitness and discharge to home when the patient reaches a postanesthesia recovery score of 18 or higher.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida, Tampa, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Aldrete
mesh_terms: D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000451:nursing*; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D006801:Humans; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000379:methods*; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D009737:Nursing Records; D010351:Patient Discharge; D016528:Postanesthesia Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results