Perioperative Nursing

PVHS' Poudre Valley Hospital has been honored with the "Magnet Award" for
excellence in nursing care since 2000 and has also been recognized five years in a row
as a "Top 100 Hospital" (2003-2007) for overall health care excellence.

Perioperative nursing is an exciting field for nurses who have the skills and who enjoy
working with patients and surgeons immediately before, during, and after a procedure.

Perioperative nursing is one of many opportunities for RNs at Poudre Valley Hospital,
Medical Center of the Rockies, and other facilities within Poudre Valley Health
System.

What is Perioperative Nursing?

Perioperative nursing is a uniquely exciting specialty area focused on care for patients
undergoing any type of surgery. The nurses provide care pre-operatively (before),
intra-operatively (during), and post-operatively (after surgery).

Fundamental nursing skills are the foundation for perioperative nurses, however, their
education continues beyond the basic nursing programs. Perioperative classes are
available at many different sites throughout the country to prepare nurses for a career
in Perioperative Nursing.

Perioperative nursing encompasses caring for the patient as a whole being, taking into
account physiological, psychological, sociocultural, and spiritual issues. The
perioperative nurse is responsible for patient safety throughout the surgery.

Clinical competency as well as outstanding organizational and interpersonal skills are

required.

Nurses working in the perioperative arena:

• Provide patient care before, during, and after surgery

• Ensure patient safety
• Advocate for the best interests of the patient
• Educate/teach patient and family
• Collaborate with members of the surgical team and other health care providers
• Serve as nurse liaisons between the OR and patients' families and friends to
provide support and communication

Before Surgery (Pre-Operative)

Nurses caring for patients before and after surgery are also known as Perianesthesia
nurses. The specialty practice of perianesthesia nursing embraces the care of the
surgical patient and family throughout the perianesthesia course.
The pre-anesthesia phase comprises pre-admission and day-of-surgery care of the
patient. Interviewing and assessment skills are used to identify possible or actual
patient problems prior to surgery.

The perianesthesia nurse prepares the patient for surgery. For more information, go to
the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses web site.

During Surgery (Intra-Operative)

During surgery (or intra-operatively) there are

two nursing roles providing care to the surgical
patient:

The "circulating" nurse is responsible for

patient safety during the surgical procedure.
The circulating nurse coordinates care of the
patient with the surgeon, scrub nurse/tech, and
anesthesia provider. The circulating nurse also
provides assistance to the surgical team throughout the surgical procedure.

The "scrub" nurse supports the surgeon by passing instruments during the operation
while also maintaining patient safety.

For further information regarding perioperative nursing roles and certification, please
go to the Association of Operating Room Nurses web site.

After Surgery (Post-Operative)

After surgery, a post-anesthesia care nurse will attend the patient in the Post-
Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). These nurses have extensive experience in intensive
care nursing, a background that is necessary in caring for patients who have a wide
variety of illnesses and surgical procedures.

The post-anesthesia nurse focuses on patient care immediately after surgery is

complete.

Basic, life-sustaining needs of the patient are the highest priority. Post-anesthesia
nurses also teach patients and families about postoperative care in the home.

For more information about perianesthesia nursing roles and certification, please go to
the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses web site.

Continuing Education

Nurses in the perioperative setting at Poudre

Valley Health System frequently expand
their knowledge through continuing
education. For example, the Perioperative
(Surgical) Services Department at Poudre
Valley Hospital holds regular educational
offering with updates for staff on patient care, surgical procedures, and new
equipment. Our nurses are encouraged to attend local and national conferences and
obtain professional certification.

The department also offers Perioperative Classes for nurses new to surgery.

For further information on nursing opportunities, please go to the Poudre Valley

Health System Employment pages.