Obstetric postanesthesia nursing: a staff education program

The same standards of nursing care must be provided to all postanesthesia patients, whether these are general surgical patients or those who have received regional or general anesthesia associated with vaginal or cesarean birth. Because obstetric nursing personnel have not had the benefit of didactic and skills training in the area of postanesthesia nursing, additional training is mandated. The article describes a staff education program designed as an educational framework to enhance the knowledge base and assessment skills of obstetric nurses providing postanesthesia care.