The post operative period begins after surgery and focuses on enabling successful recovery. It aims to reduce mortality, length of stay, and costs through quality care. Patients are monitored in the PACU or SICU by nurses. They assess vitals, consciousness, bleeding, pain/anxiety and more to detect complications and ensure stability for discharge. The goal is safe transfer from intensive recovery phases to continued recovery in step-down units or at home with instructions.

1. POST OPERATIVE CARE
Mr. Leo Devasia
Leo Home Health Services
www.leohomehealth.com

2. INTRODUCTION
The post operative
period begins from
the time the
patient leaves the
operating room
and ends with the
follow up visit by
the surgeon.
The post operative
care is provided by
-
 PACU
 SICU

3. PURPOSES
To enable a successful and faster
recovery of the patient post
operatively.
To reduce post operative mortality
rate.
To reduce the length of hospital stay
of the patient.
To provide quality care service.
To reduce hospital and patient cost
during post operative period.

4. SCOPE
All the patients who undergoing surgery
Responsibility And Authority
Registered Nurse

5. POST OPERATIVE CARE UNIT
OR POST ANESTHETIC CARE
UNIT[PACU]
 Patients still under anesthesia or
recovering from anesthesia are
placed in the unit for observation by
highly skilled nurses,anesthetist and
surgeon.
 PACU should be sound proof, painted
in soft colour, isolated and these
features will help the patient to
reduce anxiety and promote comfort.

6. PHASES OF POST OP UNIT
Two phases-
 Phase I
 Phase II

7. Phase I
 It is the immediate recovery phase
and requires intensive nursing care
to detect early signs of complication.
 Receive a complete patient record
from the operating room which to
plan post operative care.
 It is designated for care of surgical
patient immediately after surgery
and patient requiring close
monitoring

8. Phase II
 Care of the surgical patient who has
been transferred from the Phase I
post op unit.
 Patient requiring less observation
and less nursing care than Phase I
 This phase is also known as Step
down or progressive care unit.

9. NURSING MANAGEMENT IN POST
OP UNIT
To provide care until
the patient has
recovered from the
effect of anesthesia.
Assessing the patient
 Monitor vitals-pulse
volume and regularity,
depth and nature of
respiration.
 Assessment of patient’s
O2 saturation.
 Skin colour.

10. KEEP MONITORING VITALS

11. Check the level of consciousness.
Ability to respond to commands.

12. MAINTAIN INTAKE AND OUTPUT

13. Protect airway
 By proper positioning
of patient’s head.
 By clearing airway.
 Oxygen therapy.
Pharyngeal obstruction
can occur when the
patient lies on the
back as there are
chances for tongue to
fall back.

14. Maintaining IV Stability
Hypovolemic shock: can be
avoided by timely
administration of IV Fluids,
blood and blood products and
medication.
 Replacement of fluids.[colloids
and crystalloids]
 Keep the patient warm.
 Monitor intake and output
balance.
 Monitor the vitals continuously
with the patient condition.

15. Shock Position
Keep the patient in shock position, flat on back,
legs elevated at 20 degree+knee kept straight .

16. ASSESSMENT OF THE SURGICAL SITE
 Haemorrhage
It is a serious
complication of
surgery that
resulting death.
 It can occur in
immediate post
operatively or upto
several days after
surgery.
 If left
untreated,cardiac
output decreases and
blood pressure and
Hb level will fall
rapidly.

17. • Blood transfusion if
necessary.
• The surgical
site+incision should
always be inspected.
• If bleeding,pressure
dressing are placed.
• If the bleeding is
concealed,the patient is
taken in OR for
emergency exploration
of concealed
haemorrhage in body
cavity.

18. KEEP THE PATIENT WARM
 Use warmer(Bair
Hugger) blankets
 Use warm lights

19. Relieving pain +Anxiety
 Administer opioid
analgesia as per
Doctor’s order.
 Epidural analgesia.
 NSAIDS.
 Psychological support
to relieve fear+To
give support.

20. Controlling Nausea+Vomitting
These are common
problem in post
operative period.
Medication can be
administered as per
doctor’s order.
Example:
Inj Metaclopramide
Inj Ondansetron
( Emeset )

21. Discharge from the Post Operative Unit
A patient remains in the post op unit, untill the patient
has fully recoverd from anesthesia.
Following measures are used to determine the
patient ready for disharge from post operative unit.
 Stable vital signs
 Orientation to Person
Place
Time or events
 Adequate oxygen saturation level.
 Urine out put at least 30ml/hour
 Minimal pain.
 Adequate respiratory function.
 Aldrete score more than ‘ 9 ‘ before shifting from
Post Operative Anaesthesia Care Unit

22. ALDRETE SCORE
Post-Anesthesia Score
A total discharge score of 8-10 is necessary
Post-Anesthesia Score
PRE-ANESTHESIA VITAL SIGNS/SOURCE TIME ADM 15" 30" 45" 1' 2' 3' 4' DISCHARGE
SYSTOLIC BP 20% OF PRE-ANESTHETIC LEVEL
2
CIRCULATION 20-50% 1
> 50 0
FULLY AWAKE 2
CONCIOUSNES AROUSABLE ON CALLING 1
S
NOT RESPONDING 0
WARM, DRY SKIN W/ PREPROCEDURAL
COLORING 2
COLOR PALE, DUSKY, BLOTCHY, JAUNDICED, OTHER
1
CYANOTIC 0
ABLE TO DEEP BREATHE & COUGH FREELY
2
RESPIRATION DYSPNEA OR LIMITED BREATHING APKEIC
1
0
ABLE TO MOVE 4 EXTREMITIES 2
ACTIVITY ABLE TO MOVE 2 EXTREMITIES 1
ABLE TO MOVE 0 EXTREMITIES 0
COMMENTS TOTAL

23. Teaching, Patient Self Care
• Expected out comes
• Immediate post
operative changes
• Written instructions
like
Wound care
Activity+dietary
recommendation
Medications
Follow up

24. THANK YOU