Same Day Surgery Center question

jenlynnrn · Oct 21, 2011

That is a tough one because most surgeons have their own d/c instructions that they like to be given. Maybe if you have no luck finding a book, just look up each procedure, by understanding the procedure it is easier to understand and give instructions. Good luck!

luv2b_a_nurs · Oct 22, 2011

that's a great question! I just got a job in same day surg and would love to find a book like that as well.

annsds · Nov 9, 2011

Hi I have worked in a same day surgery area for a long time, from my experience don't worry about discharge instructions because individual surgeons in my experience write out what they want their discharge instructions to include. our unit has some common instructions for all patients, such as no alcohol or driving or making important decisions for 24 hrs, then depending on type of surgery there are specific instr for gyn, orthopedic, eye, neuro, etc. I believe your unit will have discharge instructions for you to follow. Good luck

brownbook · Nov 9, 2011

Your question is a perfectly good one. However other nursing skills would have a higher priority for someone to be hired for same say surgery.

Do you have post anesthesia recovery experience? Do you have ACLS and PALS if the surgery center does pediatrics? Can you do airway management for overly sedated patients? Are you good with IV's if you will be working pre-operative nursing?

The discharge instructions are fairly routine, pre-printed forms, etc.

NurseSnarky · Dec 31, 2011

I'm not sure how other SC's do it, but where I work (OR/PACU at times), only a couple of DC nurses do Phase I recovery (hence why I am pulled from the back sometimes). Otherwise the Admitting and DC go back and forth.

Beccarose · Jan 14, 2012

I currently work in a very busy surgery center and to prepare for ambulatory surgery I really think it depends if you are going to be working in the Operating Room or in Preop/PACU? I usually only work in the Operating Room, however I sometimes help in the PACU if needed. I agree that most Surgeons write their own discharge instructions, but most are routine based on the type of surgery. A good way to prepare is to become knowledgeable about the different ambulatory surgery procedures so you can learn to anticipate what is needed in the Operating Room and also with recovery. I really like the "Pocket Guide to the Operating Room", it basically summarizes different surgical procedures and is helpful if you need to quickly read up on a procedure if it's been awhile or it's new. Another good book is "Alexander's Care of the Patient in Surgery", which is a very detailed book for the Operating Room Nurse.

I hope this helps :)

nurse5753 · Mar 2, 2012

I work in ASU/PACU/Preadmission interviews - the instructions are standard for post anesthesia - ie. no driving, alcohol, or operating machinery for 24 hours. The surgeons are asked for their specific preferences and these are put into the computer for the specific procedures. As "annsds" says, these are of less concern for the new person than basics like IV starts, preps and in our unit what we call special procedures which we do besides surgeries, ie. bladder instillations, transfusions, therapeutic phlebotomies, IV med admin, port flushes. With both ACLS and PALS you can assist with conscious sedaton in a variety of settings.

cainjr1774 · Jan 5, 2013

being sa SDS nurse for 8 years what I did was I talked to each surgeon on how they want their patients to be told post operatively...then I draft the health teachings they wanted with additions of my own and let them sign. Upon discharge I give each patient the reading material on what they would do at home (depending upon the case)...and that solved the problem...Just make sure that the surgeons be a part of the post op. health teachings....