Use of the surgical Apgar score to guide postoperative care.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The surgical Apgar score (SAS) can predict 30-day major complications or death after surgery. Studies have validated the score in different patient populations and suggest it should be used to objectively guide postoperative care. We aimed to see whether using the SAS in a decisive approach in a future randomised controlled trial (RCT) would be likely to demonstrate an effect on postoperative care and clinical outcome.

Methods

A total of 143 adults undergoing general/vascular surgery in 9 National Health Service hospitals were recruited to a pilot single blinded RCT and the data for 139 of these were analysed. Participants were randomised to a control group with standard postoperative care or to an intervention group with care influenced (but not mandated) by th

SUBMITTER: Haddow JB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4473931 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature