What are the criteria for discharging a patient following spinal anesthesia?
The question about discharging patients that have received spinal anesthesia surfaces frequently. This is a concern in todays healthcare world of: increased caseload volume from more patients requiring surgical intervention; a shortage of competent PACU nurses; limited bed space in Phase I and II; concerns for adequately addressing patients comfort and safety; and managing our financial budgets. In reviewing recent literature, it was interesting to note that the first question we must answer is, to where are we planning to discharge the patient? If it is to an in-house nursing unit, there are recent studies that suggest patients can be discharged when the following criteria are met: sensory blockade lower than T10, minimal movement of the lower extremities, and no need for fluid resuscitation. However, most of us are still following the standard discharge criteria of stable adult patients, able to stand, walk and void following spinal anesthesia if they are going home or to another nur
