African Surgical OutcomeS-2 (ASOS-2) Trial

Increased postoperative surveillance can include either of the following; i) admission to a higher care ward than had been planned at the time of surgery, ii) an increase in the frequency of nursing observations in the postoperative period, iii) ensuring that the patient is placed in view of the nursing station, and not in a remote location in the postoperative ward, or iv) allowing family members to stay with the patient in the ward in the postoperative period.

Participating sites randomised to the control arm will provide usual postoperative care to patients. The care will be left to the discretion of the healthcare providers.