Communication to facilitate care of the obstetric surgical patient in a postanesthesia care setting.

Perinatal clientele have become more complex in their presentation and care today than ever before, requiring care in units other than the traditional obstetric or perinatal unit. Therefore, it is extremely important that the nurses caring for these patients know the associated standards of care, understand the importance of communication, and work to ensure the safety of the patient. This article provides an overview of the standards of ASPAN and the Association of Women's Health, Obstetrics, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), guidance on initial and ongoing assessments of this population, and emphasizes the importance of all forms of communication during the care of the obstetric patient.