Routine Post Surgical Vital Signs: Time for a Change

Purpose Statement: The purpose of this evidence-based practice project is to evaluate the current routine post operative vital signs and determine if reduced frequency of vital signs is as effective in identifying deterioration after a post anesthesia care unit (PACU) discharge. Synthesis of Evidence: Patient survival in the post operative time period is maximized with the recognition and management of abnormal vital signs Post op periods can carry great respiratory and circulatory complications, which are identified by abnormal vital signs especially heart rate and blood pressure Multiple sources have identified that current frequency of post operative vital signs is based on traditional rather than literature There are minimal resources identifying any standards of practice for post surgical vital sign monitoring after a patient leaves the PACUhttps://digitalcommons.centracare.com/nursing_posters/1140/thumbnail.jp