ASPAN's Delphi study on national research: priorities for perianesthesia nurses in the United States

Prudent nursing practice mandates the best, scientific evidence available. The complexity of perianesthesia practice, management, and education, coupled with required competencies within these domains, generate problems demanding answers. ASPAN's financial and human resources, however, are limited. Therefore, ASPAN must be able to articulate research priorities. The purpose of this study was to identify and prioritize the research questions related to perianesthesia practice, management, and education. A three-round Delphi study conducted with perianesthesia nursing experts determined research priorities for perianesthesia nursing practice. Research problems were identified and refined into research questions. Questions were ranked for their priority. Research priorities focused on the following themes: evidence supporting ASPAN standards, staffing ratios, nurse fatigue, adverse patient outcomes, patient care issues related to intensive care unit (ICU) overflow, obstructive sleep apnea, pain management, glycemic control, and clinical critical care competencies. This study advances the mission of ASPAN by identifying the top national perianesthesia research priorities related to practice, management, and education, and should guide researchers in their continued exploration of the science of perianesthesia nursing.