Adult PACU

Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Clinical Manager (or designee), implements, supervises, and evaluates the nursing care of each patient using a nursing process and in accordance with established hospital and departmental policies and procedures. Provides intensive nursing care to post‑operative patients when assigned to the post‑anesthesia area. From admission to discharge, plans with consideration of the aging process throughout the life span, including all developmental stages as well as cultural patterns.

Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role‑model the organization’s values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers, and one another.

• Renders professional nursing care to peri‑operative patients, including review of patients’ charts, administration of medications, starting IVs, hanging blood, electrocardiography, venipuncture, catheterization, defibrillation, and other complex or routine treatments as prescribed by a physician or as required by the patient’s condition.
• Initiates or participates in life‑saving procedures, including administering cardio‑pulmonary resuscitation as necessary.
• Participates in planning and implementation of nursing care plans for assigned patients.
• Utilizes professional judgment to evaluate the appropriateness of planned or prescribed treatment given the patient’s current condition; modifies treatment or contacts the physician as circumstances require.
• Reviews patient charts, ensuring that pertinent information such as lab reports and operative permits is readily available; assures all pre‑operative medications and orders have been carried out.
• Verifies the patient’s identity prior to a surgical procedure.
• Performs nursing duties according to the procedures of the area assigned. As assigned to the pre‑operative holding unit, performs a complete patient assessment in preparation for surgery, focusing on physiological and cognitive functions as part of the development of the plan of care for the patient.
• Reviews and evaluates pre‑admission testing results (labs, EKGs, etc.) to identify and report all testing results to appropriate medical providers (surgeons, anesthesiologists, etc.).
• Conducts interviews and screenings with all patients scheduled for a surgical encounter; compiles all relevant medical information necessary for effective evaluation and identifies the need for further evaluation and/or medical intervention.
• Provides patient/family education for the pre‑operative patient relevant to the surgical procedure scheduled; assesses physical, psycho‑social, cultural, and spiritual language barriers, age, teaching needs, and readiness to learn and involves the appropriate interdisciplinary team in the plan of care.
• Places peripheral IV, orders pre‑op protocol order set per policy, and administers any medications needed prior to surgery.
• As assigned to the post‑anesthesia recovery area, admits the post‑operative patient, checks for stability of vital signs, and notifies the anesthesiologist or surgeon as indicated.
• Continually observes the patient, monitors vital signs, ventilates and suctions patients, inserts catheters, administers oxygen and the like, according to physician’s instructions and/or professional assessment of the patient’s condition.
• Determines when the patient’s condition is stable and releases them to the designated hospital area.
• Maintains records and charts, reporting pertinent information regarding the patient’s condition, medication given, treatments administered, and other necessary details.
• Assists in directing, orienting, training, and providing functional guidance to surgical technicians and new nursing personnel as requested.
• Maintains and enhances professional expertise through participation in appropriate educational activities.
• Serves as a role model/preceptor to new graduate nurses and less experienced personnel, works with a high level of autonomy, and displays exceptional critical‑thinking skills to identify and address specific patient needs.
• Assumes charge nurse responsibility for the patient care unit when…