Nurse Skills Must Shift as Use of Peripheral Nerve Blocks in Surgery Centers Increases

Perioperative nurses who care for patients before, during and after peripheral nerve block administration in outpatient settings should better understand PNBs and become competent in identifying and managing potential complications associated with their use, writes Imelda Wright, BSN, RN, CNOR, a unit educator and clinical informatics nurse at the Outpatient Surgery Center at Baptist Hospital East in Louisville, in the July issue of AORN Journal, according to an AORN news release.

"As use of PNBs in outpatient surgery facilities becomes increasingly popular, the complexity of nursing responsibilities for patients who undergo this type of anesthesia has increased," wrote Ms. Wright, according to the release.

In her article, Peripheral Nerve Blocks in the Outpatient Surgery Setting, she discusses the increasing use of PNBs in outpatient settings and writes about the types of PNBs, potential complications and adverse effects, symptoms and treatment for complications and adverse effects. Ms. Wright emphasizes the importance of delivering concise postoperative instructions as many patients manage their blocks post-operatively from home.

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