Documentation of Assessments and Interventions Using a Pediatric Preoperative Risk Assessment Checklist in the Postanesthesia Care Unit: A Quality Improvement Initiative.

Purpose: Describe the impact of the implementation of an evidence-based pediatric preoperative risk assessment (PPRA) checklist on the frequency of postanesthesia care unit (PACU) nursing assessments and interventions in children at risk for respiratory complications during emergence from anesthesia.

Design: Prospective pre-/postdesign.

Methods: Pediatric perianesthesia nurses assessed 100 children preintervention according to current standard.

Preoperative Risk Factors Associated With PACU Pediatric Respiratory Complications: An Integrative Review.

Purpose: This article reviews state of the science of preoperative risk factors associated with postanesthesia care unit (PACU) pediatric respiratory complications.

Design: An integrative review.

Methods: A search of PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane, and Joanna Briggs Institute databases was performed.

Safe staffing for the post anesthesia care unit: weighing the evidence and identifying the gaps.

Postanesthesia nursing care and standards are continually evolving. ASPAN has the professional responsibility to develop standards of nursing practice to promote a safe environment of care. Currently, ASPAN's recommended staffing ratios are based on the best available evidence: expert opinion and consensus.

Care of the orthopaedic trauma patient.

The perianesthesia nursing care of the orthopaedic trauma patient focuses on injuries of the musculoskeletal system and the associated muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints. Multitrauma patients often sustain more than one musculoskeletal injury at the time of the traumatic event. Early stabilization, astute nursing assessments, and interventions are imperative to the patient's functional outcome and rehabilitation.

Prevention and management of postoperative nausea and vomiting: a look at complementary techniques.

Complementary modalities, used alone or in combination with pharmacologic therapies, play an important role in the prevention and management of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and post discharge nausea and vomiting (PDNV). This article will review the evidence for the effective use of complementary modalities: acupuncture and related techniques, aromatherapy, and music therapy that may be integrated in the perianesthesia nurse's plan of care to prevent or manage PONV.

ASPAN's [corrected] EBP conceptual model: framework for perianesthesia practice and research.

The American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN) highly regards evidence-based practice (EBP) as a guide to promoting "Best Practices" and improving patient outcomes. EBP is now considered the "gold standard" in improving patient care through the use of the best available evidence. EBP models provide the health care provider with a rigorous systematic method of rating and appraising the evidence that includes, but is not limited to, randomized controlled trials, descriptive studies, qualitative studies, national guidelines, and expert opinion.

Nursing considerations in the geriatric surgical patient: the perioperative continuum of care.

Although aging is a natural process, caring for an older person is not the same as caring for a middle-aged adult person. The perioperative and perianesthesia nurses need to be competent in geriatric nursing care and possess specialized knowledge and skills related to a myriad of geriatric issues. This article focuses on the special needs of the elderly population and how the perioperative nursing team may address their care best.

Perianesthesia challenges in geriatric pain management.

The perianesthesia nurse is continually challenged to provide safe and effective pain management. This task becomes more difficult when working with an aging population. Success begins with understanding the challenges in controlling surgical pain and in communicating information regarding pain management prior to the surgery.

Standards of perianesthesia nursing practice: advocating patient safety.

The practice continuum of perianesthesia nursing interacts in concert with other nursing and medical professional organizations. Professional standards of care establish frameworks that guide these practitioners in the delivery of care. ASPAN is charged with the ethical responsibility of defining and promulgating minimum standards of perianesthesia nursing practice.