SOAP-Style Postoperative Note
Patient: John Larson
Encounter: Postoperative Rounds
S – Subjective:
The patient reports mild postoperative pain at the surgical site, well controlled with current
analgesics. He denies chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fever, or
chills. He reports tolerating oral intake and ambulating with minimal assistance. No new
complaints voiced.
O – Objective:
• Vital signs stable and within expected postoperative parameters
• Patient alert and oriented ×3, in no acute distress
• Surgical site clean, dry, and intact with no erythema, warmth, swelling, drainage, or
bleeding
• Adequate urine output
• Bowel sounds present; tolerating diet
• Ambulating with minimal assistance
A – Assessment:
Postoperative status, stable. Recovery progressing appropriately without evidence of
complications such as infection, bleeding, or cardiopulmonary compromise.
P – Plan:
• Continue current pain management regimen
• Encourage ambulation and activity as tolerated
• Maintain wound care and monitor for signs of infection
• Continue routine postoperative monitoring
• Reinforce patient education on wound care, activity restrictions, and return
precautions
• Follow up per postoperative protocol
,Postoperative Handoff Note
John Larson is status post surgery and recovering appropriately. Vitals are stable, pain is
mild and well controlled, and the patient denies cardiopulmonary or gastrointestinal
complaints. Surgical site is clean, dry, and intact with no signs of infection or bleeding. He is
ambulating with minimal assistance, tolerating oral intake, and has adequate urine output. No
acute issues identified. Continue current management and routine postoperative monitoring.
Academic / Clinical Submission Summary
John Larson was assessed during postoperative rounds and demonstrated stable clinical
status with appropriate recovery. He was alert, oriented, and hemodynamically stable. Pain
was mild and adequately controlled. Physical examination revealed a clean, dry, and intact
surgical site without evidence of infection or bleeding. Functional recovery was appropriate,
with improving mobility, adequate urinary output, and tolerance of oral intake. No
postoperative complications were identified. Continued routine postoperative care and patient
education were recommended.
Introduction
John Larson, a [insert age]-year-old male/female, recently underwent [insert surgery type, e.g.,
colorectal surgery, knee replacement, cardiac surgery, etc.] and is currently in the postoperative
phase of recovery. This summary captures the key points from his postoperative check-in during
patient care rounds, focusing on his recovery progress, outcomes, and the necessary follow-up care.
The multidisciplinary healthcare team, including surgeons, nurses, physical therapists, and dietitians,
reviewed his case to ensure continued recovery and identify any areas of concern.
Patient Background
John Larson's medical history includes [insert relevant history, such as chronic conditions like
diabetes, hypertension, or previous surgeries]. The decision for surgery was based on [insert reason
for surgery, e.g., persistent symptoms, the need for an intervention to improve quality of life, or the
need for surgical correction of a medical issue]. Prior to surgery, John had experienced [list
symptoms or medical issues, e.g., pain, limited mobility, difficulty breathing, etc.]. He was otherwise
[insert general health information, such as active, non-smoker, no history of major health problems,
etc.].
, Surgical Procedure Overview
John underwent [insert type of surgery] on [insert surgery date]. The surgery, performed by Dr.
[insert surgeon's name], aimed to [insert surgical goal, e.g., remove a tumor, repair an organ,
replace a joint, etc.]. The procedure was completed successfully with no immediate complications.
Following surgery, John was transferred to the postoperative care unit (PACU) for monitoring.
Postoperative Care and Observations
After the surgery, John’s recovery was closely monitored by the nursing and surgical teams. Key
observations included:
• Vital Signs and Monitoring:
John's vital signs were stable post-surgery, with normal heart rate, blood pressure, and
oxygen saturation. No signs of fever or shock were noted. His postoperative pain was initially
managed with [insert pain management method, e.g., opioids, IV analgesics], and was
gradually adjusted as needed.
• Pain Management:
John reported [describe pain level, e.g., moderate pain, manageable pain] during the initial
postoperative period. Pain management was effectively addressed with [insert medications
or techniques, such as patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), regional anesthesia, etc.]. The
healthcare team worked with John to adjust his pain medication regimen based on his
feedback.
• Wound Care:
The surgical site was inspected regularly, and no signs of infection, dehiscence, or abnormal
drainage were observed. The wound was clean, dry, and intact, with no erythema or
tenderness around the incision. A follow-up visit was scheduled to assess the healing process
and address any concerns.
• Mobility and Activity Level:
John was encouraged to begin moving and performing light activities as soon as possible to
prevent complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE). The
physical therapy team introduced light walking exercises and assisted him with sitting up,
standing, and walking short distances. John tolerated the activities well, although he
expressed mild fatigue.
• Nutrition and Hydration:
The dietitian reviewed John's nutritional status and provided dietary recommendations to
support his recovery. John was initially on a clear liquid diet, advancing to a soft food diet as
tolerated. He was encouraged to maintain hydration and focus on a balanced intake of
proteins and calories to aid in healing.