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Table 3 The Postoperative Morbidity Survey

From: Clinical review: Can we predict which patients are at risk of complications following surgery?

Morbidity type

Criterion

Source of data

Respiratory

Postoperative need for oxygen or respiratory support

Patient observation, drug chart

Microbiology

Antibiotics or pyrexia >38°C in previous 24 hours

Observation chart, drug chart

Renal

Oliguria, raised serum creatinine, new urinary catheter

Fluid balance chart, biochemistry result, patient observation

Gastrointestinal

Failure of enteral feeding

Patient questioning, fluid balance chart, drug chart

Cardiovascular

Diagnostic tests or treatment within last 24 hours for any of:

Drug chart, note review

 

new myocardial infarct or ischaemia, hypotension, arrhythmias,

 
 

cardiogenic pulmonary oedema, thrombotic event

 

Neurological

Cerebrovascular accident/transient ischaemic attack, confusion,

Note review, patient questioning

 

delirium, coma

 

Haematological

Use within last 24 hours of: packed red cells, platelets, fresh-frozen

Drug chart, fluid balance chart

 

plasma, cryoprecipitate

 

Surgical wound

Wound dehiscence/infection needing exploration or drainage of pus

Note review, pathology result

Pain

New pain requiring parenteral opioids or regional analgesia/anaesthesia

Drug chart, patient questioning

  1. Adapted from [6].