Participate in Research at CU Anschutz

The purpose of this study is to determine if the frequency of patients' use of incentive spirometry after surgery increases with visual and auditory electronic reminders, as compared to the no signal cohort. The short-term hypothesis is that patient performance of incentive spirometer (IS) (defined as frequency of adequate volume breaths) will be greater with the electronic reminders than without them (usual care). The long-term goal is to test whether improved patient performance of IS therapy after surgery is associated with reduced postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) and improved outcomes. Quantitative monitoring of IS use by patients will be measured the InSee device, which records the total number of inspiratory breaths achieved as well as the proportion of recorded breaths that patients have successfully completed.

All eligible patients arriving to the PACU every day will be provided with a Vyaire Medical's AirLife volumetric incentive spirometer and instructions to perform 3 IS breaths every 20 minutes until discharge from PACU. The IS device will be set up with the breath volume considered adequate based on recommendations for each patient's gender, age and height. The bottom of the IS device will be attached to the InSee monitor. The InSee monitor will be removed when the patient is transferred to the floor, and they will keep the IS device only as per usual care protocol at the University of Colorado Hospital. PACU discharge and disposition will be decided strictly by the patient's clinical team. Participation in this study will not prolong or affect in any manner the care provided in the PACU. In alternating weeks, all patients will have the InSee monitor with either auditory and visual notification signals "ON" or "OFF", but they will not know which cohort they will be participating in.