This Introduction to PACU Training Program is designed for the experienced ICU RN and includes six didactic training days and  12 weeks of  clinical preceptoring at the Medical Center.  It is an orientation for RNs into the PACU Unit and provides continued and advanced education.  The content encompasses the didactic component of a comprehensive PACU orientation program necessary for all PACU RNs and incorporates the professional practice and nursing knowledge from the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN) from their PeriAnesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum.  The curriculum provides guidance across the spectrum of perianesthesia nursing, from preoperative through phase I and phase II leaves of care and combines, video, case studies, simulation and competency assessment tools to ensure they gain knowledge and assessment skills in the PACU clinical setting.  

Course Outline:

ASPAN Standards, Legal Issues, and Practice Settings

Safety, Risk, Quality, Regulatory, Care Experience

Preoperative Evaluation, Transcultural Nursing, Co-existing Medical Conditions, Sepsis

Anesthesia, Analgesia, Malignant Hyperthermia, Pharmacology

Pediatric, Geriatric, Bariatric,  Vascular, Orthopedic, Urology, GYN, Bariatric Specialty content

 

Course Objectives:

Describe the perianesthesia phase of care.

Explain the three phases of postanesthesia care.

State five common causes of nursing liability.

Identify essential components of preoperative/preadmission assessment.

Discuss the importance of physiological and emotional assessment of a patient to assist with the reduction of anxiety on the day of surgery.

Identify patients with an increased perioperative risk.

Describe techniques to reduce perioperative morbidity and mortality.

List three key perianesthesia transcultural concepts that related to nursing cultural competence.

Differentiate special considerations for the mentally challenged patient.

Recognize the local anesthetics used for regional anesthesia.

Identify common pharmacologic properties of inhalation anesthetics.

Describe the use of aniticholinergic agents in anesthesia.

Define moderate sedation, deep sedation and general anesthesia.

List three common cause of perioperative hypo5thermia.

Identify the signs and symptoms of MH.

State the major complications seen postoperatively in the patient undergoing thoracic surgery.

Describe extubation criteria for the postanesthesia care unit patient.

Discuss the assessment and perianesthesia nursing care for the neurological patient.

Identify various assessment techniques to ascertain fetal well-being.

Describe commonly used obstetric anesthesia techniques and their effects on pregnancy.

Identify the treatment and nursing management of the patient with a fracture.

Compare and contrast surgical options for weight loss with bariatric surgery.

Describe the complications in the care of the bariatric surgical patient.

February 12, 14, 19, 26 and 27 will be held in the 2nd floor kitchen, new tower