Hannah Mikels

Pre-Op Duties

Checking in patients by verifying 2 identifiers (Name and Date of Birth)

Completing Health History Questionnaire

Educating patient on their procedure including what they are having done, why they are having that specific procedure done, and what to expect in the flow from pre-op, intra-op, and lastly to recovery.

Going over Discharge Instructions so the patient is prepared on what to expect and what to do when they go home.

Monitoring Vital Signs including (temperature, heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and blood sugar (if patient is diabetic).

Obtaining Peripheral IV access for CRNA to administer IV sedation intra-operatively.

PACU duties:

Monitoring on all vital signs upon arrival to recovery including: Heart rate and rhythm, oxygen saturation, blood pressure.

Assessing to make sure airway is patent and patient is able to keep their oxygen saturation to normal limits.

Waking patients while continuing to monitor vital signs and obtaining blood pressure q2 minutes.

Once patient is awake, stable and at least four blood pressures have been obtained, calling patient's driver for discharge.

Discontinuing IV access and prepping patient for

CNA to dress patient for discharge.

Registered Nurse

5 Riverstone Orthopedic/Spine/ Joint Replacement Floor.

Maintaining proper documentation and charting of assessments, med administration, vital signs on patients.

Completing Dressing changes on spine, knee, hip, and shoulder replacement patients post surgery

Prepping patients for patient including NPO status, current vital signs, medication administration, obtaining consents if needed.

Venipuncture for lab diagnostics if needed

Obtaining Peripheral IV access

Collaborating with Doctors, Pharmacy staff, case managers, PT/OT and other parts of patient care team to ensure communication and advocating for patient and their families to receive best care possible while hospitalized and for their journey to home or skilled nursing.

Educating patients and families on post-surgical care, assistance in proper mechanics for ambulating at home, medication educations ( what medications are being given and their purpose).

Ensuring patient is receiving adequate pain management control post surgery and if not advocating for patient by communication with physician to obtain additional orders.

Working with case managers and discharge nurse for seamless and proper discharger whether home or SNF.

Obtaining vital signs on all assigned patients

Setting up meal trays and ensuring a safe environment for patient during meal time.

Ensuring patient safety by educating patients on the importance of using their call light.

Ambulating patients for restroom and showering by demonstrating safe practices such as using gait belts and assistive devices as needed.

Collaborating with registered nurse on any updates or changes in patients vital signs and intake and output.

-Obtaining Urine/Oral Drug Screens from patients in pain management clinical setting

-Ensuring proper documentation of Pain Medication, muscle relaxers, benzodiazepines and date and time of last dose given.