Student question re DOSA

[buttercup99]

Hi everyone,

I am currently in my 3rd year of a Bachelor of Nursing in Australia and am about to start a placement on the 27th April in a "DOSA/Shortstay" unit. When I entered this as my (3rd) preference, I didn't know what DOSA meant and thought it was like an EECU type of shortstay ward for general medical patients that needed to be observed overnight. So, now I know it is Day of Surgery Admission, my questions are:

• Does that mean it is half DOSA/half EECU shortstay, or is the shortstay part related to shortstay after surgery?
  
• What relation does this have to a Day Surgery unit?
  
• What kinds of surgeries would the patients be having?
  

I have tried to google the answers to these questions but I can't find specific reference to DOSA apart from pancakes and malaysian or indonesian websites. I understand the perioperative environment but I am having difficulty distinguishing what fits into DOSA as opposed to a normal surgical ward or a Day Surgery unit. I'm guessing it is inbetween, or perhaps it goes DOSA -->operation-->recovery-->surgical ward. I asked my lecturer but she is in paediatrics so she wasn't sure how it would be at my placement venue.

I thought the best people to ask would be you guys in the field!

Thanks in advance!:rcgtku:

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I am sure there are many ways to skin this cat, but the short-stay units I am familiar with could be medical or surgical. Surgical pertained to people who had "simpler" surgeries like rhinoplasty, cholecystectomy, tonsilletomy---. People get admitted thru same day surgery, get prepared for surgery and wait their turn, then after surgery and immediate post anesthesia care, they are transported to short stay. They are expected to leave the hospital in under 24 hours. Sometimes they are admitted to longer stays if they meet certain criteria. Medical is pretty much the same way. People generally come in thru ER and need to be observed longer than what is possible, or by more people than is in ER. Again, they are expected to leave within 24 hr or be admitted. The down side to this unit is EVERYONE is acutely ill, and there is a constant wave of admits/discharges (and paperwork). This unit requires experienced nurses with good clerical and nursing assistant help in order to run smoothly.

[buttercup99]

Thank you so much:yeah::icon_hug:

That makes it much clearer. I hadn't thought of the fact that there would be a lot of paperwork and admits/discharges (duh!) I'll be there for 8 weeks full time so it sounds like I'll get a lot of experience in perioperative documentation and care r/t high turnover of cases. Likely a lot of obs (LOL!)

It's terrible in this economic climate that people get kicked out of hospital so quick. Sure, many operations are becoming simpler and less invasive and there is "hospital at home care" and that's fair enough. But the discharges that relate to lack of bed space..... /end of rant

Thank you again for answering my question, Classicdame.

Buttercup

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

This is a great unit in which to hone your assessment skills. Ask questions and be interactive. You will learn a lot.