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tions before they go home (many patients come from more rural
areas to have surgery at our facility).
With others who aren't quite up to leaving, whether it's due to their
comfort or their caregivers', we have a graduated system. Once they're
medically ready to be discharged from PACU, we take them to a third
bay that's supplied with drinks, crackers and cookies. From there, they
can go to the waiting room, relax and watch TV. We give these patients
and their caregivers warmed blankets, make ourselves available to
answer questions and don't pressure them to leave until they're truly
ready to walk out the door. OSM
Ms. Simon (lynda.simon@mercy.net) is OR manager of Mercy Clinic: ENT
Surgery Center and director of nursing for Mercy Clinic in Springfield, Mo.
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O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | D E C E M B E R 2012
