The clincal problem identified is that surgical patients are being sent from the recovery room to inpatient units with bladder discomfort and distension, as reported by the receiving nursing unit staff. After discussions with nursing staff and anesthesia colleagues, too cause analysis (RCA) was used to clarify the problem further. Understanding why problems happen can assist in changing the underlying systems and processes and can improve patient outcomes. This evidence-based quality improvement project aims to increase PACU nurses’ awareness regarding the potential of POUR and to inform nursing practice with EBPs for the evaluation and management of POUR in the recovery room.
