Oxygen Monitoring of Patients After Surgery on the Hospital General Care Floor

Oxygen Saturation Monitoring in the General Care Floor (GCF): An Observational Study of Repetitive Reductions in Airflow

The pain medication given after major surgery may cause some patients to stop breathing for periods of time especially at night time. An oxygen monitor may reflect this abnormal breathing pattern. This is an observational study of 100 post-operative patients who will be monitored with a pulse oximeter for a minimum of two nights and a maximum of five nights to determine the prevalence of this abnormal breathing pattern.

No further details necessary or available.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age of 18 years or older
• Discharge from the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) to the GCF after any of the following major surgeries: bariatric surgery, major orthopedic surgery (e.g., total hip replacement), major general surgery (e.g., bowel resections, open cholecystectomy), and major gynecological surgery (e.g., radical hysterectomy)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pre-existing central neurological disease, including but not limited to recent traumatic brain injury, stroke, and neurodegenerative disease
• Ongoing use of mechanical ventilation or continuous positive airway pressure in the GCF