Myles et al developed the 40-item quality of recovery (QoR-40) score to evaluate the quality of recovery in patients recovering from general anesthesia and surgery. This can detect patients who may benefit from closer monitoring and more aggressive management. The authors are from Monash University and Alfred Hospital in Prahran, Victoria, Australia.
Patient selection: Adults recovering from general anesthesia and surgery.
The instrument consists of 40 items divided into Part A (18 items) and Part B (22 items).
Responses are based on findings during the previous 24 hours.
Part A (18 items)
Comfort: 4 items
Emotions: 3 items
Physical Independence: 5 items
Patient support: 6 items
|
Responses for Part B |
Points |
|
none of the time |
1 |
|
some of the time |
2 |
|
usually |
3 |
|
most of the time |
4 |
|
all of the time |
5 |
Part B (22 items)
Comfort: 8 items
Emotions: 6 items
Patient support: 1 item
Pain: 7 items
|
Responses for Part B |
Points |
|
none of the time |
5
|
|
some of the time |
4 |
|
usually |
3 |
|
most of the time |
2 |
|
all of the time |
1 |
total QoR-40 score =
= SUM(points for all 40 items)
Interpretation:
• minimum total score: 40
• maximum total score: 200
• maximum subscore for comfort (Part A): 20
• maximum subscore for emotions (Part A): 15
• maximum subscore for physical independence (Part A): 25
• maximum subscore for patient support (Part A): 30
• maximum subscore for comfort (Part B): 40
• maximum subscore for emotions (Part B): 30
• maximum subscore for patient support (Part B): 5
• maximum subscore for pain (Part B): 35
• The higher the score the better the quality of the recovery.
• A poor quality of recovery is associated with a poor quality of life at 3 months following the operation.
• Low subscores can indicate areas for intervention while the patient is still in the hospital.
