Cell Phone Use in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit Best Practice Project.

PURPOSE: Each year cell phones have evolved in capability and sophistication enticing society to become more dependent on them. Presently, our hospital policy states there is no cell phone use allowed in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) for patients or family members. However, given the almost addictive use of the mobile phone today, a patient connecting with family and friends during a very anxious and personally vulnerable time triggered us to re-evaluate this policy.

DESIGN: This was a quality improvement project.

METHODS: A literature review of published research on cell phone use in the recovery room in five databases was conducted. Two hundred seventy six articles were screened for eligibility, and seven articles were critically appraised and synthesized.

FINDINGS: Evidence supported that cell phone electromagnetic radiation interference with the mechanics of the medical equipment at bedside is negated by distance.

CONCLUSION: The sustainability of cell phone use in the PACU will be determined by quality indicators of patient compliance with respectfulness to the atmosphere of the quiet zone of surgery recovery bays, and satisfaction indicators of patient care not being negatively impacted.