Journal of perianesthesia nursing : official journal of the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses
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J. Perianesth. Nurs. · Aug 2000
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe effect of arthroscopic irrigation fluid warming on body temperature.
The use of room temperature solutions for body cavity irrigation during surgical procedures can lead to the development of perioperative hypothermia. Hypothermia during this period causes patient discomfort, increases oxygen consumption, interferes with the clotting cascade, and increases the length of hospital stay. Perioperative hypothermia in anesthetized patients also contributes to extended sedation, delayed emergence, and prolonged recovery from neuromuscular blockade. ⋯ Tympanic temperatures were monitored every 15 minutes throughout the surgical and postanesthesia recovery periods. P < .05 was considered significant. Statistical comparison of the mean percent temperature decrease from preoperative baseline between the 2 groups did not support the hypothesis that patients receiving warmed irrigation solution would maintain a higher core body temperature than those receiving room temperature solution.
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Ethical issues have historically been a significant focus in perianesthesia nursing. Issues of safety, privacy, and informed consent are never far from the consciousness of the perianesthesia nurse. As the national organization that serves as a clearing ground for issues and goals of perianesthesia nursing practice, ASPAN has begun the process of developing a code of ethics for perianesthesia nursing practice. This report is designed to provide a brief review of the important definitions and principles that are used in the discussion of ethics, review the contemporary forces that mandate and justify the development of an ethical code, and explore how such a code may function to aid and guide nursing practice.
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Rapacuronium bromide (Raplon; Organon Inc, West Orange, NJ) is a new, fast-onset, short-duration surgical muscle relaxant. While anesthesia providers are learning how to use this new relaxant, PACU nurses must become aware of the potential problems associated with rapacuronium. This article compares and contrasts the effects of succinylcholine and rapacuronium.
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J. Perianesth. Nurs. · Aug 2000
A study in time: performance improvement to reduce excess holding time in PACU.
The early 1990s saw prolonged patient stays in the PACU at St Joseph's Hospital of Atlanta, a 350-bed tertiary-care hospital. PACU discharge was delayed for various reasons: no room available, no receiving nurse, no help to transport patients, and prolonged recovery from anesthesia. These prolonged stays resulted in occasional backups in receiving patients from the OR, as well as having alert patients among arriving patients, unstable patients, and patients with nausea or pain. ⋯ It was also expensive for the patient and costly in terms of nursing care. A multiyear, intermittent study was conducted to seek and implement solutions to this problem and evaluate the results. This article details these efforts and the resulting accomplishments.