Nurse-led preoperative screening and targeted optimization of pulmonary dysfunction in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Postoperative pulmonary dysfunction prolonging intensive care treatment after cardiac surgery most commonly occurs in patients with a background of pre-existing pulmonary dysfunction. However, many patients have occult dysfunction and present primarily after surgery. We describe and discuss the results of a respiratory optimization program utilizing a peak expiratory flow rate below 400 L/min as a screening test to identify patients in a nurse-directed preoperative clinic.
Sivalingam
Sivakumar
S
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom.
Rathinam
Sridhar
S
Ajis
Adam
A
Satur
Christopher M R
CM
D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome