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Author Pirret, A.M. openurl 
  Title A preoperative scoring system to identify patients requiring postoperative high dependency care Type Journal Article
  Year 2003 Publication Intensive & Critical Care Nursing Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 19 Issue 5 Pages 267-275  
  Keywords Hospitals; Quality of health care; Surgery; Nursing; Clinical assessment  
  Abstract The incidence of postoperative complications is reduced with early identification of at risk patients and improved postoperative monitoring. This study describes the development and effect of a nursing preoperative assessment tool to identify patients at risk of postoperative complications and to reduce the number of acute admissions to ICU/HDU. All surgical patients admitted to a surgical ward for an elective surgical procedure (n=7832) over a 23-month period were concurrently scored on admission using the preoperative assessment tool. During the time period studied, acute admissions to ICU/HDU reduced from 40.37 to 19.11%. Only 24.04% of patients who had a PAS >4 were identified by the surgeon and/or anesthetist as being at risk of a postoperative complication, or if identified, no provision was made for improved postoperative monitoring. This study supports the involvement of nurses in identifying preoperatively patients at risk of a postoperative complication and in need of improved postoperative monitoring. The postoperative monitoring requirements for the PAS >4 patients were relatively low technology interventions.  
  Call Number NRSNZNO @ research @ 904 Serial 888  
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Author Hunt, M. openurl 
  Title Nurses can enhance the pre-operative assessment process Type Journal Article
  Year 2006 Publication Kai Tiaki: Nursing New Zealand Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 12 Issue 10 Pages 20-22  
  Keywords Nursing specialties; Clinical assessment; Hospitals; Surgery  
  Abstract This reports on an initiative at Whakatane Hospital, where a Nurse-Led pre-assessment (NLPA) was delivered at an outpatients clinic. NLPA involves taking a comprehensive medical history, a nursing assessment, physical examination, airway assessment, ordering appropriate investigations and carefully documenting the process and results. More valuably, it provides an opportunity for the patient to participate in planning their care. The aim of this initative was to short circuit delays and congestion in existing pre-assessment clinics, streamline the pre-assessment process and reduce the number of patient visits to hospital. Reducing cancellations of surgery (often on the day of surgery) and “did not appear” (DNA) numbers were also objectives. After a small pilot, a six-month trial was funded by the Ministry of Health. Over the six-month trial, 373 patients attended NLPA; 178 patients required anaesthetist review before surgery, and 198 could proceed directly to surgery following NLPA. An anonymous postal survey was made of patients, who indicated satisfaction with the service. Other outcomes are discussed, and the trial was deemed successful. Follow up plans have been disrupted by restructuring at the hospital and the clinic has yet to be implemented.  
  Call Number NRSNZNO @ research @ 1005 Serial 989  
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Author Koorey, R. openurl 
  Title Documentation of the surgical count Type Journal Article
  Year 2007 Publication Dissector Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 34 Issue 4 Pages 23-6,28,30  
  Keywords Law and legislation; Patient safety; Surgery; Nursing specialties  
  Abstract The author examines the current practices around the surgical counts of sponges, sharps and instruments, which is an integral component of safe perioperative nursing practice. Current practice, legislative requirements are reviewed, and the guidelines from the Perioperative Nurses College of New Zealand are reproduced. Case studies of errors in counts are used to illustrate the legal standards of practice.  
  Call Number NRSNZNO @ research @ 1048 Serial 1032  
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