Phase 2 nursing

Over 8 years ago I worked in an acute care hospital, phase 2 out patient surgery. I assume it might be the same kind of job you were hired for?

In admitting (pre-op) we also got patients ready for surgery who were being admitted to the hospital, in addition to patients going home that day.

After OR (almost) all patients went to Phase 1 for approximately 1 hour. Then were admitted to their inpatient unit or sent to us in Phase 2. For some quick simple surgeries the patients came straight from OR to phase 2, cataracts and other quick minor procedures.

In phase 2 we monitored them for approximately 1 more hour. Got q 15 minute vitals, gave them snacks, reviewed their discharge instruction with the person responsible for taking them home, called in prescriptions, gave them slings, boots, crutches, etc, transported them to their car. Sometimes they received a second IV antibiotic, diabetics might get a second finger stick glucose check. We would give IV pain meds or IV antiemetics if needed.

Honestly the focus was on speed, getting them up and out the door. These patients were deemed to be bottom line healthy enough for same day surgery prior to the procedure. They had their one hour assessment in phase 1.

Use your common sense and the patient's medical history, but you may not need to, have time to, do any head to toe assessments.