Standards of nursing care in the postanesthesia care unit

Specific standards of nursing care developed by postanesthesia nurses at The Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown, NY, are presented in this article. Eight separate standards, addressing ventilation, hemostasis and circulation, consciousness, fluid and electrolyte balance, safety, emotional and spiritual needs, comfort, and continuity of care, define the minimal standard of competent nursing practice in our PACU. Standards of nursing care can serve as the center of all unit activities, including formulation of policies and procedures, unit orientation, evaluation of nursing care, and quality assurance monitoring. These standards can be used in any PACU.