TO ASSESS, PLAN, IMPLEMENT, AND EVALUATE THE NEEDS OF PATIENTS IN THE IMMEDIATE POST OPERATIVE PERIOD. TO PROVIDE A SAFE RETURN FROM ANESTHESIA AND TO UTILIZE PAIN MANAGEMENT TO PROMOTE PATIENT COMFORT. TO COORDINATE PATIENT CARE NEEDS WITH TEAM MEMBERS, ANESTHESIA PERSONNEL AND SURGEONS.
Essential Functions
• Reviews nursing history in electronic medical record that is comprehensive of present condition and prior problems and medication list
.• Receives report from Anesthesia Provider which includes patient history, medications given in the OR, any problems, vital signs, Intake and output,
• Receives report from the OR nurse regarding wound, drains
• Provides ongoing effective respiratory and ventilator management
• Maintains ongoing knowledge and education concerning anesthetic agents and techniques
• Reviews and acknowledges PACU orders from Anesthesia personnel
• Uses two patient identifiers for patient identification (name, DOB)
• Performs quick assessment when patient arrives in the PACU of the patient’s respiratory, cardiac status, wounds, drains, intake and output, IV’s and medications in the OR
• Records vital signs, Aldrete, Post-operative assessment, notes changes, and pursues more-specific investigation as needed.
• Maintains IV access(s)
• Administers medications using the “5 rights” correctly based on patient’s age and clinical condition
• Administers blood/blood products consistent with JSH policy and procedure
• Obtains laboratory specimens accurately and in a timely manner, reviews results, notifies physician/anesthesia personnel of abnormal values
• Performs accurate interpretation of cardiac rhythm strip and places in chart
• Utilizes critical thinking skills in prioritization of care
• Performs ongoing cardiac, respiratory, hemodynamic monitoring and pain assessments and documents in EMR
• Recognizes and responds to Malignant Hyperthermia appropriately
• Assists Anesthesia personnel/physicians with procedures• Demonstrates correct troubleshooting and use of unit equipment
• Functions as a team member in the PACU
• Demonstrates ability to troubleshoot and use all equipment in the PACU
• Performs all other duties as assigned and serves as charge nurse when assigned
PACU BLOCK RN assists anesthesia personnel with Regional Nerve Blocks and does the following:
1. Ensure informed consent to perform the block is completed.
2. Review patient’s health history
3. Education the patient and family members about nerve blocks; verbally and demonstration.
4. Discuss sedation with patient
5. Perform time out using universal protocol; a separate time out with each block performed on same patient.
6. Label all medications drawn up for the procedure.
7. Position patient for procedure, apply continuous monitoring of blood pressure, pulse oximetry and EKG.
8. Ask two patient identifiers, procedure to be done, MD name, and check for markings. If no MD marking, anesthesia must mark site.
9. Prepare all equipment in room.
10. Under the direction of the anesthesia provider, aspirate the syringe for intravascular placement and inject block medication as directed.
11. Document the procedure under Universal Protocol tab in the daily assessment.
12. Record Charges
13. Monitor patient’s vital signs for 30 min post procedure
14. Restock block room when finished.
15. Make rounds on Post op day #1 to check on pain level; provide any additional teaching.
16. Perform follow up call to patients receiving blocks after discharged from hospital.
Competencies for PACU Block RN
• Complete conscious sedation Healthstream yearly.
• Maintain current certification in ACLS and BLS
• Review Block presentation on shares drive yearly.
• Healthstream assignment on IV local toxicity biannually.
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