Suggestions on topics - perioperative procedures nurses can improve?

[sross1117]

Hi, I'm not an OR nurse, I'm an ER nurse, but I am currently working on an Evidenced-Based Practice paper that requires me to pick a preoperative procedure that needs changing. It should be something that nurses are involved in..for example routine shaving of the surgical site...Since I do not work in this area I am having trouble choosing a procedure. Are there any preoperative nurses out there that have experience with procedures that need changing? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
sross1117

[NURSEDETROIT]

Have worked both areas, ER and POH/PACU; currently "recovering" from ER. . .wander from one to the other; my 2 personal favorites. . . as opposed to the ER; in PACU, things/conditions are very "controlled/repeatative." Primary concern is "airway management" also "safety/pain management" of a patient when coming out of anesthesia. Each type of anesthesia (general vs. spinal) has set criteria to watch for in a patients recovery course, information available on ASPAN core curriculum site. In most PACU's I've worked in, Inpatient/Outpatient; it's all the "fluff" stuff that takes away from the patient and ties up the nurse; re-stocking, shaving, and turnover of stretchers, etc. Need the ancillary personnel to assist with all of that. . .

Inpatient: having an available bed to send the patient to; no delays in doing so for the patients sake; those stretchers are uncomfortable to lie on for any length of time. Outpatient: Preparing the patient and family for the transition out the door to home. That they verbalize an understanding of the discharge instr./scripts as provided by the surgeon. Most surgeons have their preferences, streamlined procedures that work. . .

"Problems," in recovery typically are when they come out from OR, the lines and papers all askew. . . takes "time" to order it all. In POH, the problems usually result from the floor not following through on the preparation required for a given surgical procedure; or with the patient not following instr. as provided pre-operatively. In considering everything is timed in OR, then in PACU as well; getting everything in order is the only real issue I can see. . . will have to think of some more. . .