Re: Curious... Why would an ICU pt go to PACU? Originally Posted by Cschroy1 
I would think that an ICU trained nurse would be more competent to deal with issues such as hemodynamic instability, resp. compromise and fluid status.
Not necessarily. I have transported ICU pts straight from the OR with an anesthesiologist and when we arrive to the ICU they run around like chickens. I've brought pts to ICU without a vent being in the room, or an a-line cable, or worse people just staying at the desk when we roll in. It's not like they aren't told in advance about these things. Some of these people just don't have their priorities in order when accepting a patient from PACU--why is a nasal MRSA swab being done when the patient isn't even hooked up to the monitor?
BTW PACU nurses are MORE than capable of handing hemodynamic instability or respiratory compromise.
Are you saying ICU nurses are more competent that PACU nurses?
In my facility, pts can go directly to ICU from OR if they are to remain intubated/sedated post-op. However, each anesthesiologist is different and lately they tend to want to stop in PACU because of bad experiences in ICU. It really makes them mad when the above-named events occur. Sometimes if the patient is really unstable or has coded in the OR they want them in PACU because we have emergency drugs at the bedside and an MD right there if something happens. They don't want to take the chance on the patient going bad in an elevator or in ICU where they aren't right around the corner.
Yes, in a perfect world it is much better for all parties involved for a vented ICU pt to go straight up from OR.
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