Mixing pacu phase 1 & 2 pts

Specialties PACU

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I am new to pacu and would like to know if other facilities mix phase 1 and phase2 patients. Our hospital is moving in this direction... Any words of wisdom for me?

Really depends a lot on what your typical surgical cases are.

Ambulatory patients......or stable patients from the med/surg floor, having common surgical procedures can easily be recovered with no need for a phase one. 1 : 1. or 2 : 1 area of recovery.

If your facility is doing more invasive major surgeries or is a trauma center or the patient comes to OR from the ICU they would need more specialized nursing care.

Learn about versed, propofol, fentanyl, when used together for anesthesia and also the stronger anesthetic agents that may be used. Learn about common reversal agents.

Your anesthesiologist a is your best friend and this is a perfect opportunity for you to ask questions. It is new to you so don't feel dumb that somehow you should know every thing about every drug.

Specializes in PACU, OR.

Smaller hospitals do not have space for a phase 2 area. Ours does not, and is very space restricted, so we have to fast track our patients out. I would LOVE to be able to provide phase 2 level care, but it's logistically impossible. In for-profit facilities, don't expect the patient is paying for better care in non-visible areas. It's not an income generator, so the accountants will be highly motivated to dispense with it. They'd get rid of the whole PACU if they could....

Smaller hospitals do not have space for a phase 2 area. Ours does not and is very space restricted, so we have to fast track our patients out. I would LOVE to be able to provide phase 2 level care, but it's logistically impossible. In for-profit facilities, don't expect the patient is paying for better care in non-visible areas. It's not an income generator, so the accountants will be highly motivated to dispense with it. They'd get rid of the whole PACU if they could....[/quote']

Thank you!! We currently do preop and phase 2 recovery in one are. And phase 1 across the hall. They are looking at putting phase 1 and 2 together in the larger area. It is a small community hospital recently bought out by a for profit ! I just wonder if it is bad medicine to mix 1 and 2 .... Thank you for all the insight!!!!!:))))

Smaller hospitals do not have space for a phase 2 area. Ours does not and is very space restricted, so we have to fast track our patients out. I would LOVE to be able to provide phase 2 level care, but it's logistically impossible. In for-profit facilities, don't expect the patient is paying for better care in non-visible areas. It's not an income generator, so the accountants will be highly motivated to dispense with it. They'd get rid of the whole PACU if they could....[/quote']

Thank you for the insights. We current have sds with preop and phase 2. And a smaller phase1 recovery. Now that we have been purchased by a for profit. They want preop to go to smaller area and mix phase 1 & 2 in larger area. Space will separate the two areas but some of the nurses are very opposed to this. Just wondered if this is done at other facilities?

Specializes in PACU, OR.
Thank you!! We currently do preop and phase 2 recovery in one are. And phase 1 across the hall. They are looking at putting phase 1 and 2 together in the larger area. It is a small community hospital recently bought out by a for profit ! I just wonder if it is bad medicine to mix 1 and 2 .... Thank you for all the insight!!!!!:))))

Neither is a really bad concept; preop and phase 2 can work together provided the post-op patients are relaxed, pain free and no PONV. Putting phase 1 and 2 together can also work, provided the phase 2 area is screened off in some way, preferably by curtaining. Mobile screens or panels can be a hazard in a busy area. I don't like the idea of Phase 1 patients being visible to alert patients who are accompanied by family members; not only does it invade their privacy, but it can be very stressful to conscious, oriented patients. Other than that, there's no reason why it shouldn't work, UNLESS the accountant has figured out that nurses who would otherwise be supervising the phase 2 people can be pulled into phase 1. Magic formula for reduced staff! Don't let them get away with THAT!

Gotta love the medicine the accountant come up with!!!:) NOT!! Thank you for your words of wisdom and humor!! I appreciate it!!!

Specializes in PACU, NICU.

Stella phase I & phase II really location seven though hospitals often break out spaces as though they are. phase I & phase II are a state You should become familiar with ASPAN it will help you understand. And I've been in places where all post op patients are recovered and discharged from the same location. It works better than dragging it out by changing locations.

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