Development and initial testing of the perianesthesia safe practices instrument: an ASPAN pilot study.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Quality and Safety
• Nursing Research
• Surgical Patient Care

Background:

• Perianesthesia care settings are high-risk environments susceptible to errors.
• Patient safety is paramount for quality care and positive outcomes in perianesthesia.
• A reliable instrument is needed to assess safe practices in these critical areas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the initial reliability and validity of the Perianesthesia Safe Practices Survey Instrument.
• To assess current and recommended safe practices in perianesthesia.
• To identify differences in safety practices across the perianesthesia continuum.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, cross-sectional pilot study was conducted.
• The Perianesthesia Safe Practices Survey Instrument was developed and administered.
• Thirty-six respondents evaluated the instrument's clarity, content, and ease of completion.

Main Results:

• The instrument demonstrated good internal consistency across different perianesthesia units (alpha coefficients ranging from .79 to .94).
• Respondents found the instrument clear, easy to complete, and content-appropriate.
• Initial reliability and validity were established for the survey.

Conclusions:

• The Perianesthesia Safe Practices Survey Instrument is a reliable tool for assessing safe practices.
• The study identified areas of excellence and opportunities for improvement in perianesthesia safety.
• Findings support the use of this instrument to enhance patient safety in perianesthesia settings.