Twm2021

Actually our ASU unit covers preop and one day postops that are going home come back here from pacu to go home. We do preops on one end and postops on one end. It is an open unit with curtain partitions. This patient's surgery was actually done under diprivan as the anesthetic.

Definately not defensive. Thanks for posting your opinion. And it's been so long since we had cnas in phase 1 or 2 here. Can hardly get a CNA even in the ICU here.

It's not like I don't usually read the H&Ps. I was working in preop. Was asked to get the postip pt back in from pacu for the postop nurse who was too busy. After vital sign check pt insisted on going to restroom with toilet 5 ft from her gurney. I didn't see letting the pt pee on herself while I said sorry I must go read your H&P first as the correct response. Pt was fully awake and oriented from out pt surgery that could have been done in the office. But, next time that may be exactly what happens.

Does anyone know if the preop nurse is required to read the preop H&P of patients? I understand that the purpose of the preop H&P is to show that the patient is healthy enough to safely undergo anesthesia and surgery. Our surgeons sometimes bring them over at the last minute. Our preop checklist has us confirm that a preop H&P is on the chart but never have I been told we have to read them before sending a pt to the OR. We had an out pt "infusaport removal patient" fall after surgery while using the restroom right before being discharged and the big issue for her attorney was that I didn't go and ready the H&P prior to walking her 6 foot to the toilet and leaving her 5 minutes, telling her not to get up, with the call bell while I called her family back to the postop holding area. She was fully alert but apparently had had a previous hip and back surgery and used a cane at home. She was told not to get up unassisted. Are nurses required to read preop H&Ps prior to helping patients?