Family SuppleMented pAtient monitoRing afTEr suRgery: A Pilot Trial

Intervention training sessions will last 30 minutes and will be held twice a day over a period of six months. Carers will be welcome to attend as often as they wish. Carers will be given practical training to assess the following vital signs: heart rate, respiratory rate, conscious level (AVPU scale) and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) in accordance with trial standard operating procedures. An important component of the training package will be ensuring carers know how to wash their hands before and after contact with their patients. The study team will ensure that handwashing facilities are available on the ward for use by carers. Carers will record vital signs on a basic observation chart every 4 hours after surgery. They will compare results with colour posters displayed throughout each ward, providing guidance on how and when to notify nursing staff of abnormal vital signs.