Comprehensive Postanesthesia Care

From The Critics

Reviewer: Eric Jacobsohn, MBChB, FRCPC(University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine)
Description: This book is a comprehensive review of the organization, design, and functioning of a modern postanesthesia care unit (PACU), as well as being an organ-system based reference for medical conditions encountered in the PACU.
Purpose: The purpose of the book is to provide a detailed, current reference for clinical and administrative personnel involved in the care of patients in a PACU.
Audience: The book's intended audience is anesthesiologists, surgeons, nurses and PACU managers and administrators.
Features: This is a multiauthored text with 35 experienced, well-respected authors from 20 institutions. The book is divided into three sections: the first section deals with the an overview of the development of PACUs, monitoring requirements, standards of care, and general clinical considerations in a PACU; the second section is an organ-system based approach to physiological and pathophysiological conditions in the PACU; the third section reviews the administrative structure, physical design, and continuous quality improvement issues in a PACU.
Assessment: This is generally an excellent text, with only minor weaknesses. Some of the graphic illustrations are of a poor quality, and some chapters have a paucity of illustrations. Also, in trying to be an all-encompassing PACU text, some complex physiological and pathophysiological topics are briefly addressed resulting in very basic synopses. The book is a worthwhile addition to the library of all practicing anesthesiologists and anesthesia residents, as well as surgeons, surgical residents, and nurses involved with care of patients in a PACU. It is an excellent addition as an "on-shelf reference" in the PACU, and should be acquired by anesthesia and medical libraries.

Eric Jacobsohn

This book is a comprehensive review of the organization, design, and functioning of a modern postanesthesia care unit (PACU), as well as being an organ-system based reference for medical conditions encountered in the PACU. The purpose of the book is to provide a detailed, current reference for clinical and administrative personnel involved in the care of patients in a PACU. The book's intended audience is anesthesiologists, surgeons, nurses and PACU managers and administrators. This is a multiauthored text with 35 experienced, well-respected authors from 20 institutions. The book is divided into three sections: the first section deals with the an overview of the development of PACUs, monitoring requirements, standards of care, and general clinical considerations in a PACU; the second section is an organ-system based approach to physiological and pathophysiological conditions in the PACU; the third section reviews the administrative structure, physical design, and continuous quality improvement issues in a PACU. This is generally an excellent text, with only minor weaknesses. Some of the graphic illustrations are of a poor quality, and some chapters have a paucity of illustrations. Also, in trying to be an all-encompassing PACU text, some complex physiological and pathophysiological topics are briefly addressed resulting in very basic synopses. The book is a worthwhile addition to the library of all practicing anesthesiologists and anesthesia residents, as well as surgeons, surgical residents, and nurses involved with care of patients in a PACU. It is an excellent addition as an ""on-shelf reference"" in the PACU, and should be acquired by anesthesia and medical libraries.

Booknews

A reference for professionals who care for patients in the postoperative period. Section I provides a general overview of the development of PACUs, equipment, and monitoring requirements, and discusses general clinical considerations. Section II describes the physiology, pathophysiology, and management of the patient in the postoperative period by organ system, focusing on underlying physiology rather than surgical procedures, with information on special populations. Section III reviews administrative structure, physical design, and quality issues in PACUs. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

4 Stars! from Doody