POSTOPERATIVE CARE

-is the management of a patient after surgery. This includes care given during the immediate postoperative period, both in the operating room and the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), as well as during the days following the surgery.

PURPOSE
The goal of postoperative care is to prevent such complications as infection, to promote healing of the surgical incision, and to return the patient to a state of health.

GOAL
The goal of postoperative care is to ensure that patients have good outcomes after surgical procedures. A good outcome includes recovery without complications and adequate pain management. Another objective of postoperative care is to assist patients in taking responsibility for regaining good health.

PRECAUTIONS
Thorough postoperative care is crucial to ensuring positive outcomes for patients who have had surgery. There are no contraindications to providing this care. However, skill and careful monitoring are needed to prevent complications and to restore the patient to health as soon as possible. Postoperative care involves assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention outcome evaluation.

POSTANESTHESIA CARE UNIT (PACU)

After the surgical procedure, and anesthesia reversal and extubation if necessary, the patient is transferred to the PACU. The length of time the patient spends there depends on: length of surgery type of surgery the status of regional anesthesia (for example, spinal anesthesia) patient's level of consciousness

Rather than being sent to the PACU, some patients may be transferred directly to the critical care unit instead. For example, patients who have had coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are sent directly to the critical care unit.

In the PACU, the anesthesiologist or the nurse anesthetist reports on the patient's condition; the type of surgery performed; the type of anesthesia given; estimated blood loss; and total input and output during the surgery. The receiving nurse should also be made aware of any complications during the surgery, including any variations in hemodynamic stability. Assessment of the patient's airway patency, vital signs, and level of consciousness are the first priorities upon admission to the PACU. The following is a list of other assessment categories: surgical site (check that dressings are intact and there are no signs of overt bleeding) patency of drainage tubes/drains body temperature (hypothermia/hyperthermia) patency/rate of IV fluids circulation/sensation in extremities after vascular or orthopedic surgery level of sensation after regional anesthesia pain status nausea/vomiting The patient is discharged from the PACU when: They meet established criteria for discharge, as determined by use of a scale. An example is the Aldrete scale, which scores the patient on mobility, respiratory status, circulation, consciousness, and pulse oximetry. Depending on the type of surgery and the patient's condition, the patient may be admitted to either a general surgical floor or the intensive care unit. Since the patient may still be sedated from anesthesia, safety is a primary goal. The patient's call light should be in their hand and all side rails should be up. Patients in a day-surgery setting are either discharged from the PACU to the unit to their home, or are directly discharged home after they have voided, ambulated, and tolerated a small amount of oral intake.

First 24 hours
After the hospitalized patient transfers from the PACU, the receiving nurse should assess the patient again, using the same previously mentioned categories. If the patient reports "hearing" or feeling pain during surgery (under anesthesia) the observation should not be discounted. anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist should discuss the possibility of an episode of awareness under anesthesia with the patient. Vital signs, respiratory status, pain status, the incision, and any drainage tubes should be monitored every one to two hours for at least the first eight hours. Body temperature must be monitored, since patients are often hypothermic after surgery and may need a warming blanket or warmed IV fluids. Respiratory status should be assessed frequently, including auscultation of lung sounds, assessment of chest excursion, and presence of adequate cough. Fluid intake and urine output should be monitored every one to two hours.

If the patient doesn't have a urinary catheter, the bladder should be assessed for distension and the patient monitored for inability to void. If they have not voided six to eight hours after surgery, the physician should be notified. If the patient had a vascular or neurological procedure performed, circulatory status or neurological status should be assessed as ordered by the surgeon, usually every one to two hours. The patient may require medication for nausea and/or vomiting, as well as for pain.

Effective preoperative teaching has a positive impact on the first 24 hours postoperatively. If patients understand that they must perform respiratory exercises to prevent pneumonia; and that movement is imperative for preventing blood clots, encouraging circulation to the extremities, and keeping the lungs clear; then they will be much more likely to perform these tasks. Understanding the need for movement and respiratory exercises also underscores the importance of keeping pain under control. Respiratory exercises (coughing, deep breathing and incentive spirometry) should be done every two hours. The patient should be turned every two hours, and should at least be sitting on the edge of the bed by eight hours after surgery, unless contraindicated (for example, post-hip replacement). The patient should be encouraged to splint chest and abdominal incisions with a pillow to decrease the pain caused by coughing and moving. Patients should be kept NPO (nothing by mouth) if ordered by the surgeon, at least until their cough and gag reflexes have returned. Patients often have a dry mouth following surgery, which can be relieved with oral sponges dipped in ice water or by applying lemon ginger in mouth swabs.

After 24 hours
After the initial 24 hours: vital signs can be monitored every four to eight hours if the patient is stable The incision and dressing should be monitored for the amount of drainage and signs of infection; the surgeon may order the dressing to be changed during the first postoperative day. Postoperative dressing changes should be done using sterile technique. The hospitalized patient should be sitting up in a chair at the bedside and ambulating with assistance by this time period. Respiratory exercises should continue to be performed every two hours and incentive spirometry values should improve. Bowel sounds should be monitored and the patient's diet gradually increased as tolerated, depending on the type of surgery and the physician's orders.

The patient should be monitored for any evidence of potential complication such as: leg edema redness pain (deep vein thrombosis)

shortness of breath (pulmonary embolism) dehiscence (separation) of the incision or ileus.

If any of these occur, the surgeon should be notified immediately. If dehiscence occurs, sterile saline-soaked dressing packs should be placed on the wound. The patient and the family should be updated on the evaluation.

HEALTH CARE TEAM ROLES

Almost every member of the health care team has a role in postoperative care. The surgeon performs the surgery and manages the patient's postoperative care. The patient's primary care doctor often helps manage the care of hospitalized patients as well. Nurses are at the bedside 24 hours a day, so they monitor the patient for complica tions, assist the patient with respiratory exercises and regaining mobility provide postoperative teaching generally care for the patient

Respiratory therapists also provide instruction and assistance with respiratory exercises and monitor the patient's respiratory status. Radiology personnel take x-rays that are ordered by the physician Laboratory personnel draw blood samples and perform blood tests. All team members must communicate with one another and with the patient to provide the best possible postoperative care.