Standards of perianesthesia nursing practice: advocating patient safety

The practice continuum of perianesthesia nursing interacts in concert with other nursing and medical professional organizations. Professional standards of care establish frameworks that guide these practitioners in the delivery of care. ASPAN is charged with the ethical responsibility of defining and promulgating minimum standards of perianesthesia nursing practice. This article discusses the various definitions and uses of standards, as well as the vital importance of using ASPAN Standards. How standards differ from position statements, laws, and regulations, and how standards advocate for patient safety and protect the nurses in their specialty practice are also discussed. In addition, case scenarios will be presented to show how the American Society of Anesthesiologists' (ASA) standards play a major role in the surgical patient's care.