Incidence, severity and detection of blood pressure and heart rate perturbations in postoperative ward patients after noncardiac surgery

Study objective: We sought to determine changes in continuous mean and systolic blood pressure and heart rate in a cohort of non-cardiac surgical patients recovering on the postoperative ward. Furthermore, we estimated the proportion of vital signs changes that would remain undetected with intermittent vital signs checks. Design: Retrospective cohort. Setting: Post-operative general ward. Patients: 14,623 adults recovering from non-cardiac surgical procedures. Interventions & measurements: Using a wireless, noninvasive monitor, we recorded postoperative blood pressure and heart rate at 15-s intervals and encouraged nursing intervention as clinically indicated.

Automated summary

This study aimed to determine changes in blood pressure and heart rate in postoperative patients and estimate the proportion of missed vital sign changes with intermittent checks.