Chapter 4: Findings
Results
Description of the Sample
There are approximately 35 CRNAs, 15 MDAs and 30 PACU RNs working within the operating room and PACU at AGMC. These numbers also include part-time, per diem, and afternoon and night shift personnel. Each department was asked to complete a survey rating their satisfaction with postoperative handoff communication. The anesthesia department had a 50% response rate with surveys collected from 22 CRNAs, 2 MDAs (physician anesthesiologists) and one survey from an individual who didn’t identify whether they were a CRNA or MDA. Of the PACU nurses, 17 completed the survey for a 57% response rate. Table 1 provides the position, experience and range of professional licensing for the sample.
Table 1: Description of the Sample:
Demographic Descriptors MDA/ CRNA RN-PACU Not reported ______
Number 2/22 17 1 (MDA/CRNA) Years in current position
1-5 5 (20%) 0
6-10 5 (20%) 4 (23%)
11+ 14 (56%) 6 (35%)
No response 1 (4%) 7 (59%)
Years since licensure
1-5 1 (4%) 0
6-10 3 (12%) 0
11+ 18 (72%) 10 (59%)
No response 3 (12%) 7 (41%)
MDA = physician anesthesiologist; CRNA = certified registered nurse anesthetist; RN-PACU= registered nurse-post-anesthesia care unit
Survey Question Results Anesthesia Department
The majority of the Anesthesia Department which consisted of 84% (n=21), is satisfied with handoff communication since the implementation of a standardized handoff form. In fact, 80% (n=20) or higher of the respondents agreed with all the questions on the survey except for
POSTOPERATIVE PATIENT HANDOFFS 20
the