LAUSR

Background Information: The PACU is a diversified group of nurses with a wide range of experiences. These experiences range from 43% nurses with less than 5 years nursing experience to 26% nurses having greater than 21 years of experience. After having an emergent intubation and a code blue, the staff verbalized various comfort levels in assisting the Anesthesiologist in these situations. ACLS is currently done via computer program and does not lend to hands on practice other than the CPR portion. Objectives of Project: To ensure PACU staff comfort level and confidence in assisting with intubation and code blue emergencies. Process of Implementation: A survey was given to the PACU staff to better ascertain their comfort level assisting with intubation and code blues. Using the survey results, clearly reflecting the PACU staffs request to have hands on practice with these scenarios, an educational offering was provided. Using resuscitation equipment and mannequin, practice sessions were implemented. Statement of Successful Practice: The PACU staff were resurveyed and overwhelmingly the consensus were, the practice sessions were helpful to elevate the PACU staffs comfort level and confidence in assisting with intubation and code blue situations. These practice sessions will be implemented as a yearly educational offering. Implications for Advancing the Practice of Perianesthesia Nursing: With the ever changing diversified group of PACU nurses, with varying levels of experience, there will be an ongoing need to re-evaluate the level of comfort and confidence in emergencies. We will then need to implement further education as PACU nurses verbalize their need for further practice sessions with these emergencies.