Education, Competence, and Role of the Nurse Working in the PACU: An International Survey

PurposeThe aim of this research project was to describe the education, competence, and role nurses working in postanesthesia care unit (PACU) 11 countries having an established perianesthesia specialty nursing organization membership on International Collaboration PeriAnaesthesia Nurses, Inc (ICPAN) Global Advisory Council (GAC).DesignThis is a descriptive international cross-sectional study.MethodsA Web-based survey distributed members ICPAN GAC be completed by representative or another expert nurse member from (n = 11). The has one following organizational members: ACPAN, Australian College Nurses (Australia); BRV, Beroepsvereniging Recovery Verpleegkundigen (Belgium/The Netherlands); NAPANc, National Association PeriAnesthesia Canada (Canada); FSAIO, Danish Anaesthesia, Intensive Care (Denmark); FANA, Finnish Nurse Anaesthetists (Finland); Hellenic Perianesthesia Nursing Organization (Greece); IARNA, Irish Anaesthetic (Ireland); PNC NZNO, Perioperative New Zealand Organisation (New Zealand); ANIVA, Swedish Anesthetists (Sweden); BARNA, British (United Kingdom); ASPAN, American Society (USA).FindingsPerianesthesia recognized as professional 6 countries, 8 have national guidelines practice standards for nurses. Netherlands, Ireland, Australia are only that formal education program There were variations nurse-to-patient ratios between ranging 2:1 1:3 Phase I recovery critically ill patients; II (day surgery) it most common up three four patients per nurse. mainly profession stationed PACU, with professions such anesthesiologist surgeon call. performed many job tasks autonomously; however, differed countries.ConclusionsPerianesthesia clinical guidelines, other differ countries. This knowledge can used collaboration further develop training PACU. Continued partnership bring us closer strengthen our focus not differences but denominators.