Implementing Microstream End-Tidal CO in the PACU.

Managing patients with undiagnosed Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) can be a challenge in the postoperative phase. OSA is a chronic disease defined by pauses in breathing that are repetitive during sleep that can last for one minute or longer. This can occur more than five times in an hour. As many as 80-90% of patients undergoing elective surgery have undiagnosed sleep apnea and an increased risk of respiratory complications postoperatively. Capnography is a monitoring tool that can detect increases in end-tidal carbon dioxide levels, which is a sign of respiratory decline.