Must a registered nurse accompany patients being transferred from PACU?
Resource 10, Safe Transfer of Care in the 2006-2008 Standards of Perianesthesia Nursing Practice states, among other things: The professional nurse determines the mode, number and competency level accompanying personnel based on patient needs. The professional nurse assures the availability of appropriate transportation of the patient from the facility. The patient will be discharged with a responsible adult. A plan exists for those patients who do not have an accompanying responsible adult or reliable transportation. An appropriate means of transportation from a freestanding facility to a full service hospital will be used in emergent and non-emergent situations. A professional perianesthesia nurse should accompany patients that: • Require continuous cardiac monitoring • Require evaluation and/or treatment during transport (i.e., vasopressor infusions or pulse oximetry) The professional perianesthesia nurse determines the appropriate equipment and supplies needed for transport Transpo
