PACU Education Standardization for PACU Protocols

Abstract

Background Information New PACU staff nurses are assigned two preceptors for a three-month orientation. It was noted that a lot of variation existed in the education of orientees regarding various protocols in the PACU. Pre-survey results showed that 47% of staff felt as though there were inconsistencies from preceptor to preceptor. Furthermore, we discussed with new staff and orientees areas where they felt discrepancies existed in their orientation, which included documentation and checking of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), frequency of vital signs, documentation of assessments, and various competencies, such as arterial lines. Objectives of Project The objective of this project is to streamline the education and orientation process so that each new PACU staff nurse receives consistent information from both preceptors. By standardizing education, the PACU staff nurse would be able to improve workflow and compliance with PACU policies, also allowing for consistent documentation throughout the duration of their time in PACU. Process of Implementation A ten question anonymous survey monkey was sent out to all staff regarding PACU policies and documentation to evaluate which areas re-education was needed for PACU nurses. All PACU nurses were then in-serviced on PACU policies and documentation on the topics highlighted in the survey results. We educated on six different topics and then conducted a post-education survey to determine the effectiveness of the in-services. Statement of Successful Practice On pre-survey there was a large gap in the knowledge surrounding various protocols utilized in the PACU. On average nurses answered 64.7% of the questions correctly prior to in-services. After education on protocols, post-survey results showed an improvement to 89.2%. Implications for Advancing the Practice of Perianesthesia Nursing Standardization of the practices and implementation of hospital wide protocols allows for consistent and streamlined care of patients throughout their hospital stay, beginning with their arrival to the PACU and then transitioning to their destination. This allows for consistent and specific care for the large variety of disciplines and acuity of patients seen in this and other similar PACUs. New PACU staff nurses are assigned two preceptors for a three-month orientation. It was noted that a lot of variation existed in the education of orientees regarding various protocols in the PACU. Pre-survey results showed that 47% of staff felt as though there were inconsistencies from preceptor to preceptor. Furthermore, we discussed with new staff and orientees areas where they felt discrepancies existed in their orientation, which included documentation and checking of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), frequency of vital signs, documentation of assessments, and various competencies, such as arterial lines. The objective of this project is to streamline the education and orientation process so that each new PACU staff nurse receives consistent information from both preceptors. By standardizing education, the PACU staff nurse would be able to improve workflow and compliance with PACU policies, also allowing for consistent documentation throughout the duration of their time in PACU. A ten question anonymous survey monkey was sent out to all staff regarding PACU policies and documentation to evaluate which areas re-education was needed for PACU nurses. All PACU nurses were then in-serviced on PACU policies and documentation on the topics highlighted in the survey results. We educated on six different topics and then conducted a post-education survey to determine the effectiveness of the in-services. On pre-survey there was a large gap in the knowledge surrounding various protocols utilized in the PACU. On average nurses answered 64.7% of the questions correctly prior to in-services. After education on protocols, post-survey results showed an improvement to 89.2%. Standardization of the practices and implementation of hospital wide protocols allows for consistent and streamlined care of patients throughout their hospital stay, beginning with their arrival to the PACU and then transitioning to their destination. This allows for consistent and specific care for the large variety of disciplines and acuity of patients seen in this and other similar PACUs.