Nursing contribution to patients recovery after anesthesia Essay

Nursing contribution to patients recovery after anesthesia - Essay Example My reflection will be done mainly by applying specialist knowledge in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation in the caring for the perioperative patient in recovery. In light of this, it is intended that at the end of this essay I will have developed an explicit understanding of psychological, social and cultural influences affiliated with patient care in PACU and how to manage them and their various outcomes. My role as a recovery room nurse was to monitor and treat the post-anesthesia effects of a patient in a Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). Immediately after the surgery, I ensured that I provided constant care to the patient by following a certain time frame. I constantly checked and treated the patient after every few minutes, until the patient regained stability and was ready for transportation to a hospital room. Hatfield & Tronsons’ (2008) suggests that recovery nurses should ‘’treat the patient not to monitor’’ even to the point of discharge especially bearing in mind the type of anaesthesia the patient may have had, and keeping up to date with evidence based practice and changes that occur in practice in relation to how to manage these patients. Recovery room nurses should ensure that they learn during this period. The Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) This is the recovery room where post-aesthesia management took place. The other names of this room are the post-anesthetic room (PR) or anesthetic room (AR). I used the room to perform several functions such as close observation of the patient’s vital signs in a more specialized way than in a normal hospital ward. I also provided treatment of post-operative illnesses such as post-operative nausea and vomiting and quick detection and response to any complications. The recovery area usually requires specialized conditions such as an emergency call system for the anesthetists and the nurse, temperature monitor devices and various equipments and drugs. The Royal College of Nursing (2005) suggests that nurses should make additional observations indicated by patient’s condition and according to your local hospital policy as this can improve practice and avoid adverse incidence occurring this promoting patient safety. The NMC code of conduct suggest that health care profession als must maintain a Continuous Professional Development Portfolio hence keeping their practice up to date throughout their working like NMC (2008). NICE Guidelines (2007) guidelines on how to change practice also stipulates that health care professionals can overcome barriers in practice by keeping their knowledge and skills update which is return ensures safer practice in patient care. The hospital staffs I worked with were highly skilled and trained in handling patients with post-anesthesia effects. The room was strategically located near the operating room to allow quick transportation after the surgery. Once patients recovered, I transported them to the main ward where they waited for orders for discharge or given further minor attention. Discharge of the patient from the hospital only takes place, if they regain complete recovery and stability (Royal College of Nursing, 2011). In the recovery room, I learnt that cooperation was necessary to ensure that the patients obtained max imum care. I ensured that I prepared adequately and worked with unity with other personnel to enable quick recovery of