nursing service for post operative care

post operative care

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.

why postoperative care is required?

Postoperative care is the specialized support that is given to a patient immediately after the surgery for a speedy recovery. It is given with specific objectives in mind such as:

• Meeting the patient’s psychological and physical needs immediately after the operation.
• Managing the outcome of the surgery so that the patient recovers without any complications.
• One of the major objectives of this is to ensure regular monitoring and documentation of the patient’s progress and reporting it to the concerned doctor. 
• Helping the patient regain mobility at the earliest.
• Supporting the patient in maintaining a positive outlook without anxiety or stress.

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. 

how do you plan for postoperative care?

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. 

post operative care guideline

• Ensuring the comfort of the patient
• Proper and timely dressing changes
• Pain medication should be given as per the prescription
• In Deep vein thrombosis the postoperative nursing care involves giving blood thinning medication, elastic stockings and helping the patient perform foot and ankle exercises for blood circulation in the lower leg and enhance venous return in the lower leg.
• In case of infection the post op nursing care requires close monitoring of the surgical wound and immediate reporting of persistent fever and redness or swelling at the wound site.
• In case of pneumonia the post op care involves a respiratory therapist to help the patient with deep breathing exercises.
• In knee stiffness or other joints and bone surgery, the post surgical care requires the assistance of both a physiotherapist and a nurse for postoperative exercises to be done under the watch of a physiotherapist, for pain control, for Edema control and for strict adherence to CPM protocol as directed by the doctor.

how do you prepare for postoperative care?

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: 

• How long are you expected to stay in the hospital?
• How do you manage your postoperative status once you are discharged?
• What is the extent of postoperative care that you need?
• Do you need a nurse or your family members can manage you?
• What side effects or complications should you watch out for?
• What are the things that I can do to fasten my recovery?
• When can I expect to return to normalcy?

how is postoperative care given in the hospital?

After surgery, the patient is moved to the recovery room to allow them to wake up from anesthesia. This is the time when your postoperative care starts and includes:

• Monitoring your vitals includes the functioning of your organs, oxygen saturation, systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, temperature, etc. This is done through a variety of equipment such as an IV catheter, heartbeat monitor, breathing apparatus, etc.
• This also involves checking your consciousness, level of pain, and if you can communicate.
• Briefing you about certain lifestyle changes to help you recover faster. 
• Giving you pain killers or other medications orally or through an IV.
• Helping you move around to prevent the risk of blood clots.
• Assessing your condition daily and reporting to the doctor.
• Training your family members on your care.
• Helping you maintain hygiene.

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. 

how is postoperative care given at home?

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:

• Setting up a care corner in your house with the required apparatus.
• Briefing you and your family about the required care and the outcomes and answering any questions that you may have.
• Managing your medication schedule and looking for any side effects.
• Close monitoring of your surgical wound to look for infections and treating them.
• Helping you manage your respiratory functions through deep breathing exercises.
• Reporting to your doctor about anything that needs immediate attention.
• Usually a patient also needs postoperative exercises to maintain their blood circulation and managing pain. In addition to the nurse, you may also require a physiotherapist to help you exercise.
• Explaining certain lifestyle changes that you may need. This includes relooking your nutrition needs and making a diet plan to help you recover faster. 

what’s the takeaway?

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. 

how does portea help?

 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:

• We offer the services of highly experienced nurses who are specialised in various areas of surgery and offer the best care. 
• Our nurses are trained to go beyond their clinical responsibilities and offer emotional support to not just the patient but your entire family. They answer all your questions and lay your doubts to rest. 
• When you take our postoperative care services, you leave your care to a professional who knows the best for you. Our staff monitors your health status and manages timely reporting to your doctor. This helps in taking corrective actions, if and when required. 
• We create customised care plans for everyone keeping in mind your needs and home setting.
• Our home health care services are much more economical than those offered at hospitals or nursing homes. This is especially important when your need for postoperative care is long-term.
• Our nurses are trained to take care of your nutrition needs and suggest changes in your diet to help you recover better and more quickly. 
• We use the latest and the best equipment that is required for quick recovery. 
• You can opt for either live-in postoperative nursing care or short term care depending on your budget and specific health needs.