Advances in protocolising management of high risk surgical patients.
Despite studies clearly demonstrating significant benefit from increasing oxygen delivery in the peri-operative period in high risk surgical patients, the technique has not been widely accepted. This is due to a variety of reasons, including non-availability of beds, particularly in the pre-operative period, and the requirement of inserting a pulmonary artery catheter. There are now data that suggest that increasing oxygen delivery post-operatively using a nurse-led protocol based on pulse contour analysis leads to a major improvement in outcome with reduction in infection rate and length of hospital stay.
St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London SW17 0QT, UK. ebennett4@mac.com
E David
ED
Bennett
D002985:Clinical Protocols; D019468:Disease Management; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D012307:Risk Factors