• Journal of Internet of Things and Convergence
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.21-32
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• 2017

This study is a descriptive investigation for understanding factors influencing the length of stay in the postanesthesia care unit of elderly patients. Retrospective investigation was conducted on 300 patients aged 65 or older among those who had received an operation under general anesthesia and treated in postanesthesia care unit of hospital C located in Gyeonggi-do, from January 1 to December 31, 2014. The patients' average postanesthesia care unit stay was found to be 48.4 minutes and the 30-59 minute section accounted for the highest part with 58.0%. The postanesthesia care unit stay time according to intra-operative factors showed significant differences depending upon muscle relaxants, transfusion, ABGA, body temperature and total hours under anesthesia. Concerning the post anesthesia care unit stay length according to post-operative factors, significant differences were observed depending upon complications, PCA device, and circulatory drug use. In order to find out factors influencing the post anesthesia care unit stay length, the multiple regression analysis was conducted. As a result, the circulatory drug use and intra-operative lower body temperature were found to have an effect on the post anesthesia care unit stay length with the total explanatory power of 13%. Based on these findings above, it is deemed helpful to carefully monitor factors related to the post anesthesia care unit stay length and provide swift response accordingly for shorter post anesthesia care unit stay time of elderly general anesthesia patients.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.28-36
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• 2015

Purpose: This study examined the effects of music therapy on pain, anxiety and length of stay of patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). Methods: Sixty patients who received laparoscopic hysterectomy under general anesthesia from a PACU in a university hospital located in Cheonan city participated in this study. The experimental group (n=30) was offered the option to listen to their preferred music by using MP3 players and headphones for 30 minutes. The control group (n=30) received routine postoperative nursing care. Visual analogue scale was used to measure participants' pain and anxiety, length of stay in the PACU was examined by using their medical records. Data were collected from December 2013 to February 2014 and analyzed by descriptive statistics, ${\chi}^2$-test, Fisher's exact test, and independent t-test using SPSS version 21.0. Results: The result showed that the level of post-operative pain (t=2.44, p=.018), anxiety (t=2.37, p=.021), and the length of stay in PACU (t=3.06, p=.004) significantly decreased in the experimental group as compared to the control group. Conclusion: This study indicated that music therapy with the patients' preferred music showed positive effects. Therefore, it can be used as a therapeutic intervention for postoperative pain management of patients with laparoscopic hysterectomy.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.270-278
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a performance appraisal tool (PAT) for postoperative anesthesia care unit (PACU) nurses. Methods: This study was a descriptive, non-experimental methodological study. The PAT was developed through a literature review and tests for validity and reliability. Results: Subsequent to a review of the literature on nursing performance of PACU nurse, a 63 item questionnaire was developed. Through factor analysis, 61 items in 3 domains with 8 factors were derived. Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ coefficient of the final instrument was .99. Conclusion: This tool is an efficient PAT for PACU providing meaningful feedback for professional growth in PACU nurses.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.432-439
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine nursing workload associated with patient and anesthetic factors in the post-anesthesia care unit(PACU). Method: The data used in this study were collected from February 26th, 2008 to May 16th, 2008. The subjects were 828patients and collected data were analyzed by using SPSS program. Results: It was found that there were statistical differences in gender, age, past history, type of anesthesia, duration of anesthesia, type of surgery. The mean PRN for nursing workload was 25 for below 17 years, and 27.5 for above 61 years. The mean PRN for nursing workload was 27 for general anesthesia, and 16 for regional anesthesia. The mean PRN for nursing workload was 29 for orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery, and 23 for ophthalmology. The mean PRN for nursing workload was 24.6 for below 1hour in duration of anesthesia, and 27.5 for above 2hours in duration of anesthesia. Conclusion: This study was carried out to examine nursing workload in the PACU. The results from this study will be help to improve nursing in PACU through efficient distribution of nursing workload in PACU.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.53-64
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• 2017

Purpose : This study investigated the effects of active warming using a Warm Touch warming system or a cotton blanket in postoperative patients after general anesthesia for abdominal surgery. Methods : This quasi-experimental study utilized two experimental groups and one control group: a cotton-blanket group (n = 25) were warmed with a cotton blanket and a sheet; a forced-air warming group (n = 24) were warmed with a Warm Touch warming system, a cotton blanket, and a sheet; and a control group (n = 25) were warmed with a sheet. Measurement variables were postoperative pain, body temperature, and thermal discomfort. Data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA, ${\chi}^2-tests$, Fisher's exact test, and a repeated measures ANOVA. Results : The effects of active warming using a Warm Touch warming system and a cotton blanket on postoperative patients was significant in reducing pain (F = 13.91, p < .001) and increasing body temperature (F = 12.49, p < .001). Conclusion : Active warming made a significant difference in pain and body temperature changes. Active warming methods may help patients' postoperative recovery and prevent complications. Further research is needed to explore the effects and side effects of active warming on recovering normothermia.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.149-157
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• 2015

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to assess the influence of family presence in the PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit) on anxiety, emergency delirium, pain and length of stay in the recovery room for elderly patients undergoing surgery for which general anesthesia has been used. Methods: The study was a nonequivalent control group pre-post test design. Eighty elderly patients over 65 years who underwent surgery under general anesthesia were recruited. Forty were assigned to the experiment group, patients together with a family member and 40 to the control group, with no family member present. Patients' anxiety, emergency delirium, pain and length of time in the recovery room were evaluated at 10 minute and 30 minute after arrival in the PACU. Results: Patients with family members in the PACU showed significantly decreased levels of anxiety at 10 and 30 minutes and significantly lower levels of emergency delirium and pain at 30 minutes. However there was no difference between the 2 groups for length of time in the recovery room. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that being with family members in the PACU after surgery under general anesthesia is effective for reducing elderly patients' anxiety, delirium and pain during time in the recovery room.