Routine use of supplemental oxygen(O2) in the recovery room traditionslly has been used to minimize the incidence of hypoxemia. However with the advent of continuous noninvasive monitoring by pulse oximetry is routine administration of O2 necessary? We hypothesized that administration O2 as needed based on pulse oximetry dats, would effect without compromieing patient care. And factors that might influence the incidence of post-operative hypoxemia were analyzed. On hundred thirty eight adult (> or = 18yrs) patients were enrolled in the study. During recovery room care, when O2 saturation(SpO2) was continuously more than 94%, no supplemental O2 was given. When SpO2 was less than 94%, supplemental O2 was given by face mask(O2 51/min). SpO2 and Aldrete score(AS) were measured at preoperatively, at the end of anesthesia, on arrival in the recovery room, at 10 min, 20 min and 30 min after arrival in the RR and at discharge. The results are as follows: 1) Supplemental O2 was unneeessary in the 55.8% of patient for the duration of the recovery room stay. 2) A significant multiple correlation was found between low SaO2 level, while breathing room air on arrivsl in the recovery room and preoperative SpO2, weight and Aldrete score on arrival in the recovery room. With the above results the authors concluded that in as much as pulse oximetry monitoring is now standard in the recovery room, administration O2 as need based on the pulse oximetry data would effect without compromising patient care, and that preoperative oxygen saturation and weight are the main factors influencing early postopertative hypoxemia in this study.
Adult ; Anesthesia ; Anoxia* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Oximetry ; Oxygen* ; Patient Care ; Recovery Room ; Respiration