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PNDS @ Work: Policies, Procedures, and Pathways
Reviews
JULY 2006, VOL 84, NO 1
else in the organization who has influence on the nursing environment. This book is available from Springer Publishing Co, 11 W 42 St, New York, NY 10036. SUSAN JENSEN RN, BS, CNOR OR NURSE GLEN FALLS HOSPITAL GLEN FALLS, NY
PNDS @ Work: Policies, Procedures, and Pathways Susan V. M. Kleinbeck 2005, 64 pages $15 member/$20 nonmember softcover Standardized policies and procedures make it possible for everyone to speak the same language and focus on providing quality care. Patient safety is of foremost importance in every caregiver’s mind, and perioperative nursing policies and procedures are vital to ensuring that optimal patient care is provided. Although few people have a burning desire to write policies and procedures, it is policies and procedures that facilitate standardized quality care and reduce liability. In a sense, policies and procedures are a form of insurance. The Perioperative Nursing
122 • AORN JOURNAL
Data Set (PNDS) is a standardized nursing vocabulary that promotes good communication among perioperative staff members. This book is a technical, how-to manual that provides step-by-step guidelines that facilities can use to create or update policies and procedures using the PNDS as a guiding tool. The book contains models and templates that can be adapted to allow for a cutand-paste process of creating policies and procedures that are facility-specific. Examples of how to incorporate the PNDS vocabulary into facility policies for the perioperative setting are very helpful. Of particular note are the many illustrations in the book regarding how to implement clinical pathways using the PNDS as a model. Variances, such as potential complications and unexpected occurrences that patients may experience during the perioperative course, also are explored and illustrated. Even with my limited involvement in committees that work on policies, procedures, and clinical pathways, I found this book easy to follow. It is important to note that this book is geared toward the hospital setting. Although a small section in the book addresses the use of clinical pathways in an outpatient
setting, nurses working in ambulatory surgery centers may need to adapt the many examples to their settings. I believe that there are not enough practical, how-to resources available to those who value the provision of quality care and are concerned with reducing liability. This book helps fill that void. This book is available from AORN, 2170 S Parker Rd, Suite 300, Denver, CO 80231. MARIA G. HEACOCK RN, CNOR STAFF NURSE HEALTH SOUTH SURGERY CENTER SACRAMENTO, CALIF
2600 Phrases for Effective Performance Reviews Paul Falcone 2005, 244 pages $10.95 softcover The annual performance review process can be an agonizing and stressful period for anyone in a supervisory position. The author of this book offers a shoulder to lean on and several encouraging words to make this annual task easier and more meaningful. His years of experience in the field of human resources are evident as the book guides supervisors through the review process. The heart of the book lies
JULY 2006, VOL 84, NO 1
else in the organization who has influence on the nursing environment. This book is available from Springer Publishing Co, 11 W 42 St, New York, NY 10036. SUSAN JENSEN RN, BS, CNOR OR NURSE GLEN FALLS HOSPITAL GLEN FALLS, NY
PNDS @ Work: Policies, Procedures, and Pathways Susan V. M. Kleinbeck 2005, 64 pages $15 member/$20 nonmember softcover Standardized policies and procedures make it possible for everyone to speak the same language and focus on providing quality care. Patient safety is of foremost importance in every caregiver’s mind, and perioperative nursing policies and procedures are vital to ensuring that optimal patient care is provided. Although few people have a burning desire to write policies and procedures, it is policies and procedures that facilitate standardized quality care and reduce liability. In a sense, policies and procedures are a form of insurance. The Perioperative Nursing
122 • AORN JOURNAL
Data Set (PNDS) is a standardized nursing vocabulary that promotes good communication among perioperative staff members. This book is a technical, how-to manual that provides step-by-step guidelines that facilities can use to create or update policies and procedures using the PNDS as a guiding tool. The book contains models and templates that can be adapted to allow for a cutand-paste process of creating policies and procedures that are facility-specific. Examples of how to incorporate the PNDS vocabulary into facility policies for the perioperative setting are very helpful. Of particular note are the many illustrations in the book regarding how to implement clinical pathways using the PNDS as a model. Variances, such as potential complications and unexpected occurrences that patients may experience during the perioperative course, also are explored and illustrated. Even with my limited involvement in committees that work on policies, procedures, and clinical pathways, I found this book easy to follow. It is important to note that this book is geared toward the hospital setting. Although a small section in the book addresses the use of clinical pathways in an outpatient
setting, nurses working in ambulatory surgery centers may need to adapt the many examples to their settings. I believe that there are not enough practical, how-to resources available to those who value the provision of quality care and are concerned with reducing liability. This book helps fill that void. This book is available from AORN, 2170 S Parker Rd, Suite 300, Denver, CO 80231. MARIA G. HEACOCK RN, CNOR STAFF NURSE HEALTH SOUTH SURGERY CENTER SACRAMENTO, CALIF
2600 Phrases for Effective Performance Reviews Paul Falcone 2005, 244 pages $10.95 softcover The annual performance review process can be an agonizing and stressful period for anyone in a supervisory position. The author of this book offers a shoulder to lean on and several encouraging words to make this annual task easier and more meaningful. His years of experience in the field of human resources are evident as the book guides supervisors through the review process. The heart of the book lies