title: Post anaesthetic care units in the Republic of Ireland: a survey of discharge criteria.
abstract: Discharge readiness of patients from the post anaesthetic care unit (PACU) is often determined by specific discharge criteria. This quantitative, descriptive national study aimed to survey discharge criteria used in the PACU. Data from 45 hospitals nationally with a response rate of 77.8% (n = 35) was gathered. Specific discharge criteria were used by 71.4% (n = 25) of the PACUs in the determination of fitness of patients for discharge from the PACU.
authors.affiliation: Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, University College Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Josephine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hegarty
authors.forename: Aileen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Burton
mesh_terms: D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000458:organization & administration; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D004282:Documentation; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009731:Nursing Audit; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009737:Nursing Records; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016528:Postanesthesia Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011997:Recovery Room / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors