Barriers and Facilitators to the Use of Capnography for Respiratory Monitoring by Nurses in Phase I Post-Anesthesia Care Unit: A Scoping Review

Background/Objectives: Capnography monitoring in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) plays a crucial role in the early detection of respiratory complications, being fundamental for patient safety. It provides objective and continuous data on ventila-tion, enabling timely interventions to optimize health outcomes. This scoping review aims to map the available evidence regarding barriers and facilitators to the use of capnography for respiratory monitoring by nurses in Phase I PACU. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the methodology proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). The search was performed in the MEDLINE and CINAHL Com-plete databases and the Portuguese Open Access Scientific Repository (RCAAP). Stud-ies in Portuguese, English, and Spanish were included, with no time restrictions. The search strategy combined indexing terms and natural language, adapted to each data-base. Results: Seven studies were included in the sample. The main identified barriers were high workload, perceived lack of patient adherence, and lack of knowledge. Key facilitators included alarm sound, patient education, anticipating patient clinical in-stability, increased nurse confidence, perception of enhanced safety, targeted training for nurses, continuous improvement in care delivery, effective communication and feedback, promotion of sustainable care practices, and prior knowledge and exposure. Conclusions: The use of capnography in the PACU allows for respiratory function as-sessment and early detection of clinical events. Its implementation should be based on current scientific evidence, promoting a culture of safety and quality improvement in patient care.