Perioperative Nursing Fundamentals

Definition and Scope

• Perioperative nursing is a specialized field of nursing that focuses on providing care to patients before, during, and after surgery.
• It involves the preparation, coordination, and implementation of care plans to ensure safe and optimal outcomes for surgical patients.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Preoperative phase:
  • Assessing patients' physical and emotional status
  • Educating patients on surgical procedures and postoperative care
  • Preparing patients for surgery (e.g., medication management, skin preparation)
• Intraoperative phase:
  • Maintaining a safe and sterile environment
  • Assisting surgeons and anesthesiologists during surgery
  • Monitoring patients' vital signs and overall health
• Postoperative phase:
  • Providing pain management and wound care
  • Monitoring for complications and addressing any issues that arise
  • Educating patients on postoperative care and follow-up instructions

Key Concepts

• Asepsis and infection control:
  • Maintaining a sterile environment to prevent surgical site infections
  • Adhering to proper hand hygiene and personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols
• Patient safety:
  • Identifying and addressing potential risks and hazards
  • Implementing fall prevention strategies and ensuring patient mobility
• Communication and teamwork:
  • Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure cohesive care
  • Communicating effectively with patients, families, and healthcare providers

Specialized Skills and Knowledge

• Surgical procedures and techniques
• Anesthesia and pain management
• Wound care and dressing management
• Patient positioning and transfer techniques
• Surgical instrumentation and equipment operation

Settings and Specialties

• Hospital operating rooms and surgical departments
• Ambulatory surgery centers
• Outpatient surgical clinics
• Specialized areas: neurosurgery, cardiovascular surgery, orthopedic surgery, etc.

Perioperative Nursing

• Focuses on providing care to patients before, during, and after surgery
• Involves preparation, coordination, and implementation of care plans for safe and optimal outcomes

Roles and Responsibilities

• Preoperative phase:
  • Assess physical and emotional status
  • Educate patients on surgical procedures and postoperative care
  • Prepare patients for surgery (medication management, skin preparation)
• Intraoperative phase:
  • Maintain a safe and sterile environment
  • Assist surgeons and anesthesiologists during surgery
  • Monitor patients' vital signs and overall health
• Postoperative phase:
  • Provide pain management and wound care
  • Monitor for complications and address any issues
  • Educate patients on postoperative care and follow-up instructions

Key Concepts

• Asepsis and infection control:
  • Maintain a sterile environment to prevent surgical site infections
  • Adhere to proper hand hygiene and PPE protocols
• Patient safety:
  • Identify and address potential risks and hazards
  • Implement fall prevention strategies and ensure patient mobility
• Communication and teamwork:
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams for cohesive care
  • Communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare providers

Specialized Skills and Knowledge

• Familiarity with surgical procedures and techniques
• Understanding of anesthesia and pain management
• Knowledge of wound care and dressing management
• Proficiency in patient positioning and transfer techniques
• Ability to operate surgical instrumentation and equipment

Settings and Specialties

• Hospital operating rooms and surgical departments
• Ambulatory surgery centers
• Outpatient surgical clinics
• Specialized areas: neurosurgery, cardiovascular surgery, orthopedic surgery, etc.

Learn about the role of perioperative nurses in providing care to patients before, during, and after surgery, including preparation, coordination, and implementation of care plans.