Aldrete Score

[coffeegirl7]

I'm wondering if you are using a formal Aldrete Score on your PACU flowsheet/recovery sheet, or incorporate the criteria in your assessment? Our department is undergoing some staffing changes with nurses being hired with no PACU experience. (But do have critical care experience). We are thinking of revising our PACU flowsheet to have the Aldrete Score separated to use as criteria, rather than the way we currently do it. Just wondering how many departments have this on their flow sheet.

Thanks!

[All4Seasons]

When we used paper charting the scoring was on the flow chart with v.s. - which is where I believe it should be,so that all relevant data on a pt's progress through the recovery period can be seen at a glance.

We've gone to computerized charting and the two areas have been separated,essentially because, at the moment, the moniter/NIBP/oximetry etc currently does not 'speak' to the computer - so we paper chart our v.s. while the assessment score area (Aldrete) is entered into the computer.

What is the thought behind separating the data?

[Siss]

We use our Aldrete score as criteria for discharge. We use a paper system. but if we ever go computerized, we will incorporate it into the system. It may be a guideline, but it is still an important tool.

[GHGoonette, BSN, RN]

We've always worked according to the same criteria as laid out in the Aldrete system, but never used an actual scoring chart. Most hospitals in my country that use a score chart utilize the Glasgow coma scale, which is not really suitable in PACU. I am compiling in-service training notes at the moment, and I have incorporated the Aldrete score in them as it is far more appropriate. If the new nurses already have critical care experience, it should not be necessary for you to do more than explain the principles to them

[NVCW]

We have the aldrete score posted on the vital signs flowsheet, to assess the aldrete every 15 minutes.

[Siss]

This is common. I believe it is ASPAN Standards:clown:

[PACURN1818]

We use the revised one for surgical patients as part of our criteria. A score is done on arrival, after 30 minutes and prior to discharge. A pt cannot leave PACU with a score of less than 10 out of 12 unless they are going to a critical care unit or had a pre-existing issue, (such as having a 0 for being on a vent, but were already vent/trach dependant long standing preop) This works well for us, and yes I believe its an ASPAN standard.

[coffeegirl7]

GHGoonette said:

We've always worked according to the same criteria as laid out in the Aldrete system, but never used an actual scoring chart. Most hospitals in my country that use a score chart utilize the Glasgow coma scale, which is not really suitable in PACU. I am compiling in-service training notes at the moment, and I have incorporated the Aldrete score in them as it is far more appropriate. If the new nurses already have critical care experience, it should not be necessary for you to do more than explain the principles to them

This is true, we didn't need to explain more than principles to them, my question was actually posting the formal aldrete score on the flow sheet, or incorporating the criteria into your flowsheet, as part of your assessment. What we did was incorporate the scoring in the flow sheet, rather than have a separate scoring sheet. I should have made that clear in the initial question.

I agree, it's an ASPAN standard to utilize the Aldrete scoring, which we are meeting by incorporating the criteria from the model into the flow sheet.