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longer relief, we use morphine. The doctors often have Toradol given either intra-operatively or in the recovery room also."
"Multimodal pain therapy with pre-op non-narcotic meds," is how John Hsu, MD, the director of anesthesia at Presbyterian
Intercommunity Hospital in Whittier, Calif., describes his pain regimen.
Regional blocks in many cases obviate the need for narcotic pain relief. "Our facility has a great nerve block program," says Dora
Rieves, RN, BSN, the block charge nurse at Andrews Institute Surgery Center in Gulf Breeze, Fla. "The majority of the orthopedic surgeries are blocked in pre-op. Less anesthetic agents are used intraoperatively, which helps with post-op pain control and nausea and vomiting."
Family in PACU?
Nearly two-thirds (61.4%) of our survey respondents allow family members at the bedside in PACU. Allowing family members at the
bedside in PACU aids in comforting the patient and lets the RN caring for the patient begin discharge instructions quickly, says Ms. Galivan. However, a hospital OR manager notes that "having visitors at bedside
may be a patient and family satisfier, but it can also cause delay in the
recovery process."
For some facilities, Phase I recovery is for patients and staff only. Family can visit during Phase II recovery when patients are closer to
discharge. "Patients seem more relaxed with family at bedside and encouraged for going home," says Jean Atkinson, RN, director of
nursing at Specialty Surgery Center in Crossville, Tenn.
"Once the patient is discharged to Phase II recovery, we let 2 family
members come back," says Ms. O'Connor. "This helps to alleviate anxiety and concerns from the patient and family. It also lets the nurse focus on areas of concern that my need a little more attention, such as
