Evaluation of a respiratory rate monitor in postsurgical patients.

STUDY

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical use of a cardiorespiratory rate monitor in patients receiving epidural opioids following major surgery.

DESIGN

For 6 hours during the night following surgery, patients were continuously monitored with a cardiorespiratory rate monitor and a pulse oximeter, as well as by an in-room observer.

SETTING

Postoperative surgical ward at a university hospital.

PATIENTS: Eight ASA physical status I and II patients ages 30 to 76 years.

INTERVENTIONS: Any bradypneic, hypoxemic, bradycardic, or tachycardic event was confirmed by the observer and recorded.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN

RESULTS

The cardiorespiratory rate monitor accurately identified true bradypneic episodes in five of the eight patients. There were no false-positive alarms. The respiratory rate monitor and the pulse oximeter identified one episode of hypoxemia. There were no episodes of bradycardia or tachycardia.

CONCLUSIONS

The cardiorespiratory rate monitor is useful in patients at risk for bradypnea following surgery.