title: Understanding patients' needs is the foundation of perioperative nursing.
abstract: As I reflected on Mrs L's procedure, I realized the importance of my role. I coordinated the efforts of the radiologist, radiological technologist, surgeon, pathologist, and nurses to provide Mrs L with a positive surgical experience, and I collaborated with Mrs L and her husband to make them as comfortable and relaxed as possible. I connected with Mrs L and her husband--they knew I would help them in any way to make this a positive experience. In addition, I collected data about Mrs L's perception and satisfaction with her experience to explore her response to her stereotactic surgical biopsy procedure experience. Perioperative nurses are important to patients and their family members. By listening to patients' needs, planning for their individual care, and being present, perioperative nurses help patients through difficult situations. I use my experience and knowledge to serve as a role model for breast imaging personnel, nurses, and other coworkers, and to improve each patient's perioperative experience.
authors.affiliation: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, USA.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Collette
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy / Q000451:nursing; D001900:Boston; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000451:nursing* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D013527:Perioperative Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration