A cross-sectional survey study of nurses' self-assessed competencies in obstetric and surgical postanesthesia care units.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify priorities to guide development of an obstetric PACU continuing education curriculum.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional, survey design was used.

METHODS

A total of 54 obstetric nurses and 68 perianesthesia Phase I nurses at an academic, tertiary care center completed online surveys for self-assessment of recent education, competency, and encounters with 14 topics related to postanesthesia nursing (eg, basic life support [BLS], advanced cardiac life support [ACLS], neonatal resuscitation, and the American Society of Perianesthesia Nurses' standards).

FINDINGS: Obstetric nurses reported low encounters, competency, and recent training in all study topics except oxygen administration, phlebotomy, BLS, and neonatal resuscitation. Perianesthesia Phase I nurses indicated high encounters, competency, and recent training for all topics except for ACLS and malignant hyperthermia. All nurses indicated the need for arranging debriefing sessions after life-threatening situations.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that obstetric-postanesthesia care unit (PACU) nursing should focus on continuing education curriculum development, whereas main surgical-PACU emphasis should be on skills assessment. Future research should be directed to knowledge- (didactics) and skills- (simulation) educational programs, including maintenance and assessment of skills unique to obstetric-PACU care.