Oxygen Desaturation In Post-Anesthesia Care Unit.

ABSTRACT:

Background – Rationale for Clinical Audit Project:

·       Hypoxemia is a major problem in the immediate post-operative and during the transport period from Operation theatre to Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU).

·       Effective and early management can reduce morbidity and mortality.

·       We have witnessed few cases of desaturation in our PACU and hence the interest in this topic. (25 files were reviewed and 4 patients developed desaturation in the PACU – managed by oxygen therapy and monitoring in high dependency unit.)

·       To identify the contributing factors, provide early treatment to patients with risk factors, provide recommendations for oxygen therapy, monitoring and to implement a protocol for management of hypoxemia.