PICU to perianesthesia

[adgarner1]

Hi all,

I have been working in PICU for the last three years after graduating nursing school. I am moving to a new city and there is an opening at a children's hospital for perianesthesia. We recover patients in PICU often, so I was considering this position because I thought I may be qualified. Am I right or wrong in my understandng of perianesthesia; I've always thought that it was the same as PACU? Can you tell me what it's like? What do you think the main differences are? What are the best aspects, and what are the worst?

Thanks for the help!

[GHGoonette, BSN, RN]

Perianaesthesia is really the big picture, as opposed to post anaesthesia. The former embraces all aspects of the theatre patient; pre-operative preparation and care, intra-operative monitoring and assistance and post-operative monitoring and care. It might be that they want a holistic approach with the kiddies, so the patient would have a relatively familiar face around him/her during all phases of the procedure. If it's a small hospital with a limited number of surgical cases it might merely be that you will fulfill a dual role, ie pre- and post- anaesthesia.

[adgarner1]

Great! Thanks a lot. I was definitely thinking it was more pacu, not sure what in think about itraop care. It is actually a rather large hospital. Ill know more when I interview. Can't wait to find out!!