The post anesthesia care unit experience: A family-centered approach Journal Article


Authors: Smykowski, L.; Rodriguez, W.
Article Title: The post anesthesia care unit experience: A family-centered approach
Abstract: The Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) visitation program of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center needed revision. The process was disorganized, visits were unescorted, and nurses and physicians were resistant. A committee was formed with the goal of developing a new unit philosophy and improving the overall process. Committee steps included reviewing the literature, educating staff about the benefits of visitation, empowering nurses to incorporate family visitation into patient care, and providing family education. As a result, staff attitudes changed, and nurses now contact the family within 90 minutes of the patient's arrival to the PACU to develop an individualized visitation plan. Morale is high, and nurses take pride in meeting the needs of patients and families.
Keywords: united states; postoperative care; outcome assessment; nursing; organization and management; outcome assessment (health care); cancer center; organization; cancer care facilities; new york city; professional standard; organizational innovation; professional staff committees; recovery room; patient; humans; human; article; family nursing; postanesthesia nursing; visitors to patients
Journal Title: Journal of Nursing Care Quality
Volume: 18
Issue: 1
ISSN: 1057-3631
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins  
Date Published: 2003-01-01
Start Page: 5
End Page: 15
Language: English
PUBMED: 12518833
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 12 September 2014 -- Source: Scopus
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