Postoperative care in simple terms is the care a person receives after having undergone a surgical procedure. Postoperative care is given immediately during the Postoperative period. As such the post op care begins in the operating room itself and is followed into the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and even continues at the patient’s home up until the period the surgical wound is healed.
The main goal of postoperative care is the prevention of any infections at the site of the surgical wound, thereby ensuring complete healing of the surgical incision. Postoperative nursing care also aims to reinstate a patient to his prior physical form and mental state.
The type and length of Postoperative care a patient receives depends upon his /her surgical procedure and the extent of post-op care needed. For instance, outpatient surgery has different post op care requirements and inpatient surgery has different post op nursing care. Similarly, an elaborate surgical procedure that has the risk of post op bleeding, blood clots, etc has a completely different post surgery care requirement.
For a simple surgical procedure, a patient can himself take care of his wound, while in some cases the assistance of professional Postoperative nursing care is required in cases of spine surgery, hip surgery, cardio surgery, and patients with impaired levels of consciousness, etc.
Postoperative care is the specialized support that is given to a patient immediately after the surgery for a speedy recovery. Post surgery care at home given with specific objectives in mind such as:
Postoperative care usually begins at the end of the operation and continues throughout the patient’s stay in the post anesthesia care unit and even at their home till the time they recover completely.
The kind of postoperative care that you need depends on the complexity of the surgery that you have undergone. Every patient has different needs depending on whether they are receiving care in the hospital or at their home. The plan of your postoperative care is decided by the team of doctors to help you understand your surgical procedure, set your expectations, and help you recover at the earliest.
Perioperative nurses in conjunction with the orders of the doctor provide postoperative nursing care. They are specialised in the area of your surgery and have specific skill sets to meet your post-surgery needs.
Immediate postoperative nursing care depends not just on the nature of your surgery but also several other factors. These include your age, gender, general health, and how is your body responding to the operation.
The key to preparing for postoperative care lies in getting as much information as you can about your procedure and your health status. It is natural to have anxiety about the road ahead. But this can be easily managed by clearing your doubts and asking as many questions to prepare for your postoperative care:
After surgery, the patient is moved to the recovery room to allow them to wake up from anesthesia. This is the time when your immediate post operative care starts and includes:
Depending on the complexity of your surgery and individual recovery, you may continue to receive care even after you are discharged. In case, you show some complications, your stay in the hospital and ongoing care may be extended.
Even after you are discharged, you may need postoperative care to help you heal faster and get over the psychological impact of surgery. While in some cases patients can care for themselves and manage their daily routine, in certain cases, you may need a caregiver to help you resume your normal functioning and address any surgical complications that may arise. If you don’t have a family member who can help, you need to discuss a postoperative nursing care plan with your doctor.
This involves a per-operative nurse and other healthcare professionals visiting you at home to provide the required care. You can also opt for a live-in nurse who stays at your home for monitoring your recovery and offering general care. This usually involves:
Whether it’s being given at the hospital or your home, proper postoperative care is the key to your recovery process. However, it may be stressful for not just the patient but also the immediate family members. To mitigate the anxiety and instead focus on the recovery, it is best left to trained professionals.
In case of a complicated surgical procedure, when you need postoperative care for the long term, it’s better to opt for home nursing care provided by home health care providers like Portea. This helps in not just speedy recovery but also lets you regain control over your life. It reduces the chance of any complications and reduces the stress that comes with coping up with a post-surgical situation.
Portea, the country’s largest and most credible home health care company, offers specially curated services especially for people recovering from surgeries. Our postoperative care nursing benefits you in more ways than you can imagine:
Following major surgery, the recovery process can be broken down into three distinct phases: the immediate or post-anesthetic period; the intermediate phase, which includes the hospital stay; and the convalescent phase.
The purpose of the post op nursing care and evaluation is to assure adequate healing and rule out the occurrence of complications, which can influence the patient’s neurologic, renal, gastrointestinal, hematologic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, endocrine, and infectious systems and can affect the entire body.
The treatment you receive after surgery is referred to as postoperative care. Your postoperative care at home needs are affected by the type of surgery you underwent and your medical background. Pain management and wound care are commonly included.
The most common postoperative complications include infection, fever, infection, lung blockages, pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis.
You can find highly trained post surgery home nurse at Portea.
Various services of postoperative nursing include
• Dressing after surgery and wound care
• Taking out stitches, caring for drains, and giving injections
• Treatment of pain
• Blood transfusions and intravenous antibiotic therapy at home
• Giving personalized care depending on the needs of the patient
• Regular general health evaluation with aid or support for mobility
• Nutrition guidance and diet monitoring
• Patient education and counselling
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