Related Experiment Videos
Acceptable ranges for vital signs during general anesthesia
J H van Oostrom1, C Gravenstein, J S Gravenstein
1Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville 32610-0254.
Journal of Clinical Monitoring
|November 1, 1993
Summary
Clinicians establish acceptable vital sign ranges during general anesthesia, known as clinical operating ranges (CORs). These ranges are frequently exceeded, but not all deviations require intervention.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Critical Care Medicine
- Physiology
Background:
- General anesthesia involves complex physiological monitoring.
- Establishing normal vital sign parameters is crucial for patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define normal vital sign ranges during general anesthesia.
- To assess the frequency and management of vital sign deviations.
Main Methods:
- 50 patients undergoing general anesthesia were studied.
- Anesthesiology residents defined clinical operating ranges (CORs) for blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), SpO2, and PETCO2.
- Transgressions of CORs were recorded for frequency, duration, magnitude, and treatment.
Main Results:
- Vital sign deviations outside defined CORs were common during anesthesia.
- Blood pressure and heart rate transgressions occurred frequently.
- Treatment of deviations was common, but COR values were rarely changed.
Conclusions:
- Clinicians utilize defined vital sign ranges (CORs) during anesthesia.
- CORs can vary by anesthetic stage.
- Frequent vital sign deviations occur, with not all requiring intervention.