PACU fast-tracking: an alternative to "bypassing" the PACU for facilitating the recovery process after ambulatory surgery.
This retrospective evaluation assessed the impact of discharging outpatients home directly from the PACU as an alternative to "PACU bypassing." A total of 1,380 outpatients who had undergone minor ambulatory procedures were evaluated. Nine hundred fifty-two outpatients were admitted to a designated PACU fast-tracking area to facilitate an earlier discharge. Of the outpatients admitted to the PACU fast-track area, 88% were discharged home within 60 minutes (mean time [+/- SD] of 58 +/- 8 minutes]. The remaining 12% were discharged home from the PACU in an average of 88 (+/- 12) minutes. The recovery times for the 428 outpatients who were initially considered for the PACU fact-tracking program but were admitted to the regular PACU and recovered according to the conventional (two-step) pathway were 38 +/- 25 minutes in the PACU, followed by 61 +/- 32 minutes in the day surgery step-down unit. We conclude that this pilot program demonstrates the feasibility of discharging patients home from the PACU. Only 12% of the outpatients who were admitted to the PACU fast-track area failed to be discharged within 60 minutes. The overall times to discharge from the PACU fast-track area compared favorably to discharge times for outpatients bypassing the PACU. This program provides nurses with an alternative recovery pathway for fast-tracking patients after ambulatory surgery.
White
Paul F
PF
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 75390-9068, USA. paul.white@utsouthwestern.edu
Rawal
Shivani
S
Nguyen
John
J
Watkins
Alison
A
D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016528:Postanesthesia Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards*; D011383:Progressive Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011997:Recovery Room / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013531:Surgicenters / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013781:Texas; D013997:Time Factors