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The Impact of Quantitative Neuromuscular Monitoring in the PACU on Residual Blockade and Postoperative Recovery

Completed
Conditions
Muscle Weakness
Interventions
Device: TOF-Watch SX
Procedure: Notify the provider
Registration Number
NCT01933841
Lead Sponsor
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Brief Summary

Neuromuscular blocking drugs (NMBDs) provide anesthesiologists with powerful intraoperative tools, but their use carries the potential risk of serious postoperative complications. NMBD-induced muscle weakness that lingers into the postoperative period, known as postoperative residual curarization (PORC), is present in as many as 40% of all patients that receive neuromuscular blocking agents. The Post Anesthesia Care Unit will be introducing monitoring as part of standard of care. This study will collect data about patients who receive NMBDs and examine the impact of monitoring on incidences of PORC.

Our study is designed to test the following hypotheses:

Hypothesis 1: The initiation of quantitative TOF monitoring as part of the standard PACU entry evaluation will change practitioner behavior in a manner that decreases the incidence of PORC in surgical patients at VUMC.

Hypothesis 2: The initiation of the routine TOF monitoring program will decrease the incidence of short- and long-term postoperative complications at VUMC.

Detailed Description

Neuromuscular blocking drugs (NMBDs) provide anesthesiologists with powerful intraoperative tools, but their use carries the potential risk of serious postoperative complications. NMBD-induced muscle weakness that lingers into the postoperative period, known as postoperative residual curarization (PORC), is present in as many as 40% of all patients that receive neuromuscular blocking agents. Physiological data suggest that PORC impairs normal respiratory function, and compelling evidence suggests PORC impairs clinical recovery in the immediate postoperative period and prolongs PACU length of stay. However, despite the widespread use of NMBDs and the frequent occurrence of PORC, limitations in the literature prevent an understanding of their full impact on clinical outcomes. This study will collect data about patients who receive NMBDs and examine the impact of monitoring on incidences of PORC.

The incidence of PORC and postoperative complications after the introduction of monitoring in the PACU will be determined by measuring TOF ratios and tracking the postoperative outcomes in the surgical patients over time.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
201
Inclusion Criteria
  • Surgical patients > 18 years of age
  • Received one or more NMBDs during surgery
  • Surgery took place during the first 120 days following the introduction of TOF monitoring in the PACU
Exclusion Criteria
  • Surgical patients < 18 years of age
  • Received no NMBDs during surgery
  • Transfer from the OR to the PACU was delayed (by high PACU volume, for example)
  • Had a procedure or has a preexisting condition that prevents accurate monitoring

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Days 1-30TOF-Watch SXAdult surgery patients whose operations occurred during Days 1-30 after monitoring is introduced in the PACU. Patients will have their TOF ratio measured and recorded using a TOF-Watch SX. The nurse will monitor the patient and notify the provider of the patient's TOF-ratio if appropriate.
Days 1-30Notify the providerAdult surgery patients whose operations occurred during Days 1-30 after monitoring is introduced in the PACU. Patients will have their TOF ratio measured and recorded using a TOF-Watch SX. The nurse will monitor the patient and notify the provider of the patient's TOF-ratio if appropriate.
Days 61-90TOF-Watch SXAdult surgery patients whose operations occurred during Days 61-90 after monitoring is introduced in the PACU. Patients will have their TOF ratio measured and recorded using a TOF-Watch SX. The nurse will monitor the patient and notify the provider of the patient's TOF-ratio if appropriate.
Days 31-60TOF-Watch SXAdult surgery patients whose operations occurred during Days 31-60 after monitoring is introduced in the PACU. Patients will have their TOF ratio measured and recorded using a TOF-Watch SX. The nurse will monitor the patient and notify the provider of the patient's TOF-ratio if appropriate.
Days 31-60Notify the providerAdult surgery patients whose operations occurred during Days 31-60 after monitoring is introduced in the PACU. Patients will have their TOF ratio measured and recorded using a TOF-Watch SX. The nurse will monitor the patient and notify the provider of the patient's TOF-ratio if appropriate.
Days 61-90Notify the providerAdult surgery patients whose operations occurred during Days 61-90 after monitoring is introduced in the PACU. Patients will have their TOF ratio measured and recorded using a TOF-Watch SX. The nurse will monitor the patient and notify the provider of the patient's TOF-ratio if appropriate.
Days 91-120TOF-Watch SXAdult surgery patients whose operations occurred during Days 91-120 after monitoring is introduced in the PACU. Patients will have their TOF ratio measured and recorded using a TOF-Watch SX. The nurse will monitor the patient and notify the provider of the patient's TOF-ratio if appropriate.
Days 91-120Notify the providerAdult surgery patients whose operations occurred during Days 91-120 after monitoring is introduced in the PACU. Patients will have their TOF ratio measured and recorded using a TOF-Watch SX. The nurse will monitor the patient and notify the provider of the patient's TOF-ratio if appropriate.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Decrease in incidence of postoperative residual curarization10 minute after arrival to PACU

This aim will test the hypothesis that initiation of quantitative Train-Of-Four monitoring as part of the standard PACU entry evaluation will change practitioner behavior in a manner that decreases the incidence of PORC in surgical patients at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Quantitative TOF monitoring will be introduced as a standard component of the PACU entry evaluation for all patients that receive NMBDs as part of their care. It is expected that the proportion of patients with TOF \< 0.9 will decrease over time after initiation of the routine monitoring system.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Decrease in need for reintubation24 hours after PACU entry

This aim is part of a group of aims which will test the hypothesis that initiation of the routine TOF monitoring program will decrease short-term postoperative complications.

Decrease in incidence of perioperative pneumonia28 days post-operatively

This aim is part of a group of aims which will test the hypothesis that initiation of the routine TOF monitoring program will decrease long-term postoperative complications.

Decrease in time to readiness for dischargeHospital stay (Expected average of 3 days)

This aim is part of a group of aims which will test the hypothesis that initiation of the routine TOF monitoring program will decrease long-term postoperative complications.

Decrease in length of stay in the PACUPACU stay (Typically 1-2 hours post-operatively)

This aim is part of a group of aims which will test the hypothesis that initiation of the routine TOF monitoring program will decrease short-term postoperative complications.

Decrease in the incidence of hemoglobin desaturationPACU stay (Typically 1-2 hours post-operatively)

This aim is part of a group of aims which will test the hypothesis that initiation of the routine TOF monitoring program will decrease short-term postoperative complications.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

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Nashville, Tennessee, United States

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