Post-operative recovery of the surgical patient

Abstract

There is a vast amount of research concentrating on improving mortality rates in surgical patients. One study highlights the mortality rates. This is clearly shown by the Confidential Enquiry into Perioperative Small Animal Fatalities (CEPSAF) study carried out in 2006 which demonstrates the percentage of deaths in recovery is higher than that of pre-medication, induction and maintenance periods. The study identified the recovery period as the greatest risk during anaesthesia with most deaths occuring within 3 hours of the procedure. There is constant continuing research to try and minimize this risk, improving mortality rates in the post-operative surgical patient. The main area of focus concentrates on the close monitoring of the surgical patient in the recovery period with efficient nursing care during this time. Using the recommendations highlighted within this article it may be possible to reduce mortality rates while improving nursing care intervention.