Table 1 The Postoperative Morbidity Survey (Bennett-Guerrero et al. 1999)
Morbidity type | Criteria | Source of data |
|---|---|---|
Pulmonary | New requirement for supplemental oxygen or other respiratory support | Patient observation |
Treatment chart | ||
Infectious | Currently on antibiotics or temperature >38 °C in the last 24 h | Treatment chart |
Observation chart | ||
Renal | Presence of oliguria (500 mL 24 h−1), increased serum creatinine (>30 % from preoperative level) or urinary catheter in place | Patient observation |
Fluid balance chart | ||
Biochemistry result | ||
Gastrointestinal | Unable to tolerate an enteral diet for any reason, including nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension or use of anti-emetic a | Patient questioning |
Fluid balance chart | ||
Treatment chart | ||
Cardiovascular | Diagnostic tests or therapy within the last 24 h for any of the following: new myocardial infarction or ischaemia, hypotension (requiring pharmacological therapy or fluid therapy >200 mL h−1), atrial or ventricular arrhythmias, cardiogenic pulmonary oedema or thrombotic event (requiring anticoagulation) | Treatment chart |
Note review | ||
Neurological | Presence of new focal deficit, confusion, delirium or coma | Note review |
Patient questioning | ||
Wound | Wound dehiscence requiring surgical exploration or drainage of pus from the operation wound with or without isolation of organisms | Note review |
Pathology result | ||
Haematological | Requirement for any of the following within the last 24 h: packed erythrocytes, platelets, fresh-frozen plasma or cryoprecipitate | Treatment chart |
Fluid balance chart | ||
Pain | New postoperative pain significant enough to require strong b opioids or regional analgesia | Treatment chart |
Patient questioning |