cully24

Just wondering if anyone is utilizing LPN's/LVN's in their Phase II area. As well, what is the job description and responsibilities? Thanks...

As an educator for a large PACU, we will only take RN's with ICU experience. 6 months of orientation will not prepare you for the critical thinking that you will need to take care of a crashing AAA on the midnight shift when it's just you and another co worker. Go to ICU first, get the experience and then come to PACU.

Thanks for responding. The rapid response team does not respond to our PACU, again, because we are considered a critical care area. We were exploring other avenues such as calling for a huddle or a meeting of both the nurse, anestheologist and the surgeon. Too many times, the PACU nurse is caught between what anesthesia wants and what the surgeon wants. This way, the surgeon and the MDA are encouraged to communicate directly to each other, therefore each physician knows a) what is going on and b) what the plan is. Wish us luck.

We are trying to implement a "handover" in our perianestheisia areas. This involves the Pre op staff, OR staff, anesthesia and PACU staff. I am inquiring if any other hospitals are incorporating a handover in the perioperative routine, how is it working and better yet, how did you get the staff to "buy in" to this idea?

How do you chart dermatones properly. At one facility I am employed at, it is acceptable to chart where the sensory level is (iliac crest, umbilicus etc). At another facility, it is charted according to the dermatone level (T4,T10) etc. Is one more acceptable than the other?

At our facility, if a patient comes in with an airway. it is the expectation of the PACU nurse to remove it after the criteria for extubation has been met. If perhaps it was a difficult intubation (fiberoptic), or there was trauma to the head and neck or pediatric patient, the anesthesiologist may request to be at the bedside for extubation.

Does anyone have a "rapid response team" or a specialized team that responds to the PACU when the pt meets certain criteria or is deteriorating?