Effect of a newly designed observation, response and discharge chart in the Post Anaesthesia Care Unit on patient outcomes: a quasi-expermental study in Australia.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate whether use of a discharge criteria tool for nursing assessment of patients in Post Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU) would enhance nurses' recognition and response to patients at-risk of deterioration and improve patient outcomes.

Methods

A prospective non-randomised pre-post intervention study was conducted in three hospitals in Australia. Participants were adults undergoing elective surgery before (n=723) and after (n=694) implementation of the Post-Anaesthetic Care Tool (PACT).

Results

Nursing response to patients at-risk of deterioration was higher using PACT, with more medical consultations initiated by PACU nurses (19% vs 30%, P<0.001) and more patients with Medical Emergency Team activation criteria modified by an anaesthetis

SUBMITTER: Street M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5778298 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature