HAND-OFF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE INTRAOPERATIVE
AREA AND PHASE I PACU. In the past, the patient’s
response to the surgical experience may
have been noted in a routine report with little
emphasis on specific surgical events. Hand-off
communication during this transition of care
often occurs when nursing staff members are
performing several tasks simultaneously. Staff
members should set aside time for hand-off
communication, allowing opportunities to ask
questions or to ask for clarifications. Table 2
outlines the SBAR elements of the intraoperative
to PACU transition, highlighting OR
events that have occurred. Being as specific as
possible is critical. Informing the PACU nurse
about the patient’s past medical history also
may be vitally important.
Components of this transition should include
presenting information on how the patient
tolerated the procedure and whether the
procedure went as planned. The circulating
nurse should inform the PACU nurse whether
the patient is hemodynamically stable (eg,
heart rate and rhythm) and whether the patient