iOPS

This study is now completed. Thank you for your support.

What is iOPS?

iOPS (intraoperative Oxygenation in Patients undergoing major Surgery) is a trainee-led snapshot service evaluation to assess the administration and monitoring of oxygen (O2) during major surgery in adult patients.

PLAN will be collaborating with SPARC (Southcoast Perioperative Audit and Research Collaboration) to characterise anaesthetic practice in different centres across London and the Southcoast.

Why is it being done?

O2 is the most commonly used drug in general anaesthesia, where it is administered to protect patients from the consequences of tissue hypoxia, but it is also toxic in high doses. Debate persists around the area of perioperative oxygenation and the question of ‘how much is too much’ remains unanswered.

Achieving the optimal balance between efficacy and toxicity is crucial in the administration of all drugs. We wish to identify whether O2 is titrated to achieve the normal physiological range during anaesthesia for major surgery. We hope to characterise trends in SpO2 and PaO2 recorded intraoperatively, as well as the FIO2, P:F ratios and cumulative O2 dose administered throughout the course of operations. We hope to focus attention on the problem of safely and effectively administering this vital drug. 

When is it happening and how can you find out more about iOPS?

Update: Data collection took place over a consecutive 5-day period in April 2017

iOPS project leads

• Dr Clare Morkane: c.morkane@nhs.net

• Dr Helen McKenna: helen.mckenna4@nhs.net

SPARC: iOPS project leads

• Wessex SPARC

• Dr Andrew Cumpstey: acumpstey@gmail.com

• Alex Oldham: alex.oldman@gmail.com