Slide 2- Devices used for monitoring during anaesthesia & surgery
Devices used are a thermometer, electrocardiogram (ECG), capnography, noninvasive BP
measuring tool, and pulse oximeter.
Devices are attached before anaesthesia induction and used until recovery from anaesthesia
effects (Checketts et al. 2016)
Surgery and anaesthesia alters a patient’s vital signs (Ahmed et al. 2017)
To prevent perioperative complications in high-risk surgical patients (Aseni et al. 2019)
Monitoring reduces the risks of incidents and accidents
Monitoring reduces the occurrence of adverse events (Jildenstal et al. 2018)
Slide 3: Pulse oximeter
A pulse oximeter measures oxygen saturation in a patient’s blood
A noninvasive device placed over a patient’s finger
The device calculates a pulse, detects pulsatile blood, and measures oxygen absorbed (Hess
2016). Normal parameters are above 95%
It emits two light beams at different wavelengths to determine the ratio of current levels of
oxygenated haemoglobin to deoxygenated haemoglobin (Hafen and Sharma 2021)
The device is used to identify respiratory depression, clinical emergencies, and
ventilation/perfusion mismatch and guide oxygen therapy
Factors that can interfere with the readings are patient movement, ambient light, decreased
peripheral blood flow, hypothermia, and fingernail polish (Ignatavicius et al. 2020)
Monitor O2 saturation is critical to prevent hypoxemia that adversely affects body organs.
Slide 4: Electrocardiogram (ECG)
ECG measures the heart’s electrical activity and function, cardiac monitoring (Maršánová et
al. 2017).
Electrodes are placed on the patient’s chest wall. A lead wire connects the electrode to the
ECG machine (Phalen and Aehlert 2018)
ECG monitoring identifies the onset of life-threatening arrhythmias. Monitors heart rate and
rhythm
ECG monitors the effects of anaesthesia and identifies cardiac changes in the perioperative
period (Baheti and Laheri 2018)
ECG is used during the entire perioperative period
Factors to consider during ECG monitoring are environmental interferences (Dey et al. 2019)
Slide 5: Noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP)
NIBP measurement involves using a pressure cuff placed on the upper arm (Meidert and
Saugel 2017)
The cuff is connected to a manometer that displays the pressure applied
The physician inflates the cuff until the brachial artery collapses, blood flow stops (Khandpur
2017). The pressure when deflating the cuff is the patient’s systolic pressure.
Normal BP readings are 90-140/60-90 mmHG.
Continuous BP measuring is a requirement for patients under anaesthesia (Townsend 2021)
Monitoring BP is critical as some surgical procedures may alter BP. BP elevations during
surgery increase the risk of postoperative adverse events and mortality (Goudra et al. 2018)
Factors to consider during BP monitoring are cuff size, arm position, and patient movement.
Wrong cuff size and arm position may cause intraoperative hypertension and inaccurate
readings.
Slide 6: Capnography
Capnography is the analysis and recording of carbon dioxide concentrations in respiratory
gases.
Capnography monitoring is a requirement for patients under general anaesthesia.
Target EtCO2 should be 35-45 mmHg.
It detects when an anaesthetic breathing circuit disconnects, detection of hyperventilation and
hypoventilation and rebreathing of carbon dioxide (Ehrenfeld et al. 2016)
The sidestream monitoring device contains a CO2 sensor. The patient’s exhaled CO2 is
diverted from the airway into the device attached to the breathing circuit.
In mainstream monitoring device has a CO2 sensor and sampling cell integrated into a small
device connected to the airway, between breathing circuit and endotracheal tube.
It is crucial to monitor capnography as it helps identify potential breathing complications and
respond appropriately. Prevents adverse respiratory events and deterioration
Pulmonary embolism and hypocapnia can affect capnography readings.
Slide 7: Temperature thermometer
A thermometer is a device that measures temperature.
Temperature should be above 360C before and during surgery (Palazzo 2018)
Typanic temperature is measure by inserting a thermometer into the ear’s external auditory
meatus.
Oesophageal temperature measurement involves inserting a flexible teemperature monitorin
probe into the oesophagus
Surgical teams use direct methods in the theatre because if providers temperatures close to
the core temperatures
Temperature monitoring is important in the perioperative periods to prevent hyperthermia
and hypothermia (Tachibana et al. 2019)