Innovations in care: the nurse practitioner in the PACU.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Patient Care

Background:

• Hospitals are increasingly recognizing the benefits of advanced practice nurses (APNs).
• A large urban medical center identified a need for enhanced patient management in its Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU).

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the implementation of an innovative advanced practice nurse role within a hospital setting.
• To detail the establishment and operational framework of a nurse practitioner position in a busy PACU.

Main Methods:

• The article outlines the creation of a new position for a nurse practitioner.
• Key components discussed include the practitioner's qualifications, collaborative practice agreement, and delineated privileges.
• An educational plan for the role was also developed.

Main Results:

• The program established a dedicated nurse practitioner to manage PACU patients.
• The role involved defining specific responsibilities and collaborative practices.

Conclusions:

• The implementation of an advanced practice nurse, specifically a nurse practitioner, in the PACU is a viable strategy for patient management.
• This innovative role aims to leverage the skills of APNs to improve care delivery in high-acuity areas.