Objectives: This study aimed to determine the incidence of desaturation (SpO₂ ≤94%) during the transfer of postoperative patients from the operating room to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) without oxygen support and to identify factors associated with desaturation.Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2023 and July 2024 in the operating room and PACU of a training and research hospital.
The sample consisted of 164 patients. Data were collected using the Oxygen Saturation Assessment Form. Post-extubation oxygen saturation levels were continuously monitored with a pulse oximeter during transfer to the PACU and until discharge.Results: During transfer from the operating room to the PACU, 43.3% of patients had SpO₂ ≤94%, and 8.4% of these patients had SpO₂ 0.05).
In addition, desaturation was associated with general surgical procedures, the supine position, upper abdominal and thyroid surgeries, and the use of neuromuscular blocking agents (P