Post-Procedure Care and Monitoring

General Post-Procedure Monitoring and Care

The American College of Surgeons recommends ongoing monitoring of vital signs and physiological parameters using early warning scoring systems to detect early signs of complications 1
Patients should be monitored for signs of respiratory distress, cardiovascular complications, and renal dysfunction as these are highly predictive of mortality 1
Early mobilization and walking should be initiated as soon as medically appropriate to prevent complications and improve recovery outcomes, as recommended by the American Society of Anesthesiologists 2

The American Thoracic Society recommends implementing multimodal postoperative physiotherapy including breathing exercises and incremental strengthening exercises to reduce pulmonary complications 2
Consider non-invasive ventilation or high-flow oxygen therapy for patients developing postoperative hypoxemia or respiratory distress, as suggested by the American Society of Anesthesiologists 2

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends proper hand hygiene before and after handling surgical wounds or dressings 3
Keep surgical wounds clean and dry; follow specific wound care instructions provided by healthcare team, as advised by the World Health Organization 4
Monitor incision sites for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, increased pain, warmth, drainage, or fever, as recommended by the Surgical Infection Society 4

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends attending all scheduled follow-up appointments; telemedicine may be used for routine monitoring when appropriate 3
Follow-up evaluations at different time points are advisable to discuss post-procedure symptoms and assess for signs of complications, as suggested by the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 5
Report any new or worsening symptoms promptly to healthcare providers, as recommended by the American College of Gastroenterology 5

Gradually increase physical activity as tolerated and as directed by healthcare providers, as recommended by the American Society of Anesthesiologists 2

Seek immediate medical attention for fever above 101°F (38.3°C) or shaking chills, as recommended by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 3
Seek immediate medical attention for increased pain, redness, swelling, or drainage from surgical wounds, as advised by the World Health Organization 4
Seek immediate medical attention for difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, as recommended by the American Society of Anesthesiologists 2
Seek immediate medical attention for chest pain or irregular heartbeat, as suggested by the World Journal of Emergency Surgery 1

The World Health Organization recommends that patients wear a surgical mask when leaving isolation areas 4
Family visits may be limited or prohibited; when allowed, visitors should wear appropriate protective equipment, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 4
Telemedicine should be utilized for follow-up care whenever possible to maintain social distancing, as suggested by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 3
Monitor for hyper-inflammation markers, such as increased ferritin, decreased platelet count, increased LDH or CRP, as recommended by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 3