Incidence of hypoxemia in a post-anaesthesia care unit and relevant risk factors: a retrospective study of 14604 patients with general anaesthesia

Abstract Background This article is aim to investigate the incidence and risk factors for postoperative hypoxemia in a post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU). Methods The retrospective cohort assessed 14604 postoperative patients who were admitted to PACU between January 2015 and December 2015. A pulse oximeter was used to monitor and record pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) every 5 minutes. Clinical data were collected for all these patients, and the incidence of and risk factors for postoperative hypoxemia were analysed. Results The total incidence of hypoxemia was 21.83% (SpO2 ≤ 95%) and 2.79% (SpO2 ≤ 90%). Multiple regression analysis indicated that the risk factors were age ≥50-year old, body mass index (BMI) ≥25kg/m2, American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) II and III, limb surgery, and thoracic surgery. Conclusions Therefore, hypoxemia was common in postoperative patients in the PACU. Age, BMI, ASA classification, and surgical site are associated with postoperative hypoxemia. More attention should be paid to these patients to prevent hypoxemia in the PACU.