Implementing Monitoring for Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression in Medical-Surgical and Other General Care Units

Patients receiving parenteral and neuraxial opioids are at risk of depressed respiration—a condition that can quickly lead to anoxic brain injury or death if not detected. As a result, several organizations now recommend that these patients be continuously monitored for respiratory depression.

This recommendation presents some significant challenges for healthcare providers. Questions to be addressed include:

1. Which monitoring technology should be used?

2. How does a facility budget for acquiring and operating monitors?

3. How many...