Effectiveness of modified aldrete score in terms of selected patient outcomes among paediatric patient admitted in post-anaesthesia care unit of post-graduate institute of child health, Noida

Abstract

Introduction: Advancements in anaesthesia and surgical techniques have significantly enhanced postoperative patient care. Quality anaesthesia is pivotal in facilitating surgeries devoid of pain and discomfort. Aldrete score chart is used to assess the physical status of patient including vital sign. Objective: To assess and evaluate the effectiveness of Modified Aldrete score among Paediatric patients admitted in post-anaesthesia care unit in experimental and control group with selected patient outcome in term of– length of stay Post Anaesthesia Care Unit, Patient transfer from Post Anaesthesia Care Unit to Post –surgical ward/ ICU and length of stay in hospital. Methodology: This was a quasi-randomized trial including 104 paediatric patients, 52 were assigned to the experimental group and 52 to the control group aged 1-15 year admitted in post anaesthesia care unit. Sampling techniques involved simple random sampling, with odd and even lottery method used for selecting groups in the experimental and control groups. Data collection tools comprised structured interview schedules for sample characteristics, a standard tool for evaluating the effectiveness of the Modified Aldrete score, and observation and assessment of paediatric patient outcomes in terms of length of stay in the Post Anaesthesia Care Unit, transfer from Post Anaesthesia Care Unit to Post surgical ward and length of stay in the hospital. Result: Total 104 patients remained in the study till follow up. The predominant age group of patients across both groups consisted of individuals aged 6 to 10 years, and majority residing in rural settings. Both groups mostly underwent general anaesthesia and exhibited no statistically comparability at baseline (p = 0.287). The experimental group demonstrated markedly reduced durations of post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) stays (p = 0.001), and higher rates of post-surgical ward transfers (χ² = 3.68, p = 0.05), and shortened total hospital length of stay (p = 0.002) in comparison to the control group, thereby suggesting improved postoperative recovery experience. Conclusion: The Modified Aldrete score was useful to facilitates the monitoring of postoperative recovery and assists in ascertaining the appropriateness of transitioning patients from the Post-Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU) to the postoperative ward. It reduced the length of stay at hospital and at PACU. Further large scale.