Evaluation of a respiratory rate monitor in postsurgical patients.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical use of a cardiorespiratory rate monitor in patients receiving epidural opioids following major surgery. DESIGN: For 6 hours during the night following surgery, patients were continuously monitored with a cardiorespiratory rate monitor and a pulse oximeter, as well as by an in-room observer. SETTING: Postoperative surgical ward at a university hospital. PATIENTS: Eight ASA physical status I and II patients ages 30 to 76 years. INTERVENTIONS: Any bradypneic, hypoxemic, bradycardic, or tachycardic event was confirmed by the observer and recorded. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The cardiorespiratory rate monitor accurately identified true bradypneic episodes in five of the eight patients. There were no false-positive alarms. The respiratory rate monitor and the pulse oximeter identified one episode of hypoxemia. There were no episodes of bradycardia or tachycardia. CONCLUSIONS: The cardiorespiratory rate monitor is useful in patients at risk for bradypnea following surgery.