Zeitz, K.McCutcheon, H.2007-07-102007-07-102006Applied Nursing Research, 2006; 19(4):204-2110897-18971532-8201http://hdl.handle.net/2440/35976Patient surveillance during the postoperative period has traditionally consisted of the collection of routine and regulated vital signs, supported by observations of other aspects of a patient's recovery. The purpose of this research was to determine if the frequent collection of postoperative vital signs assisted in detecting postoperative complications in the first 24 hours after a patient has returned to the ward setting. The study involved: (1) a survey of policy documents; (2) observations of postoperative nursing care; and (3) an audit of medical records. Major findings revealed that vital signs are collected based on tradition and are collected routinely, and there may not be a relationship between vital-signs collection and the occurrence or detection of complications.enHumansPostoperative ComplicationsMonitoring, PhysiologicPostoperative CareAttitude of Health PersonnelCeremonial BehaviorEvidence-Based MedicineNursing Evaluation ResearchPerioperative NursingObservationTime FactorsOrganizational PolicyAdultAgedMiddle AgedNursing Staff, HospitalHospitals, PrivateHospitals, PublicNursing AssessmentNursing AuditSouth AustraliaFemaleMaleSurveys and QuestionnairesJournal article002006193210.1016/j.apnr.2005.09.0050002423185000062-s2.0-3375109566451945