The recovery staff need to be informed about the current haemodynamic status of the patient. Has the patient been adequately volume-resuscitated? Are further losses anticipated? What physiological parameters should be aimed for?

Consider the patient’s cardiovascular stability during the peri-operative period. Did the patient have periods of explained or unexplained cardiovascular compromise? How was it managed?

An anaesthetist handing over also needs to be able to:

• Quantify the loss of blood or any other body fluid, together with the type and amount of infused fluids or blood products

• Provide an estimate of the patient’s urine output

• Describe intravenous access (location and size)

• Clearly document post-operative instructions for fluids/ blood products, and write down an appropriate range of haemodynamic parameters for the recovery unit and the ward