POAU Duties

ON ARRIVAL

Collecting the pager on their arrival @ 11:00 am.from U1 [604-877-2929]
Going to PACU and giving the receptionist their cell phone number and addressing any present issues
Going to see the POPS patients on the ward as soon as possible
Checking with U1 if anyone needs a break
Inform switchboard 27121 of any changes in the call schedule

POPS

U1 and POAU are responsible for all UBCH POPS patients in the hospital from 07:15 until 20:00, including:

Ensuring that POPS patients are seen, if possible, twice each day
Writing a daily note on each patient’s chart
Maintaining the POPS binder (ie. yellow billing sheets)
The POAU should write their name on the POPS yellow (for the visit) and the patient’s sticker should also appear on the POAU green
Signed off billing sheets should be handed in by POAU
Being available to answer UBCH pager 604-877-2929 or on his/her cellphone until 20:00

As there are no direct lines to the wards, pages to UBCH will be to the switchboard at 604- 822-7121

After 20:00, the POPs coverage is by N1 (answering pager 877-2942). As such, POAU should communicate any problem patients to the POPS anesthesiologist or N1 on 877-2942 and/ or arrange appropriate transfer to VGH
On Friday evening the POAU should visit all the POPS patients and write transfer orders if appropriate
POAU must inform POPS at VGH of any patients who will still be on pops on the weekend and who may require a visit for assessment or removal of a PICRA
Weekend daytime coverage is by the POPS anesthesiologist

CONSULTS

ECT

ECTs take place at UBC Detwiller pavilion (building next to UBC Hospital) on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 1200 (typically ends around 1400)

ADDUCTOR CANAL BLOCKS

POAU is responsible for the performance of ACBs for total knee arthroplasty cases, or otherwise provide coverage so that another practitioner may perform the task

TRANSPORTS

POAU is responsible for all ambulance transports to VGH
The surgeon must call to arrange a bed at VGH
POAU must talk to the charge nurse at VGH PACU, surgeon and POA or N1 to inform them of the transfer
- The decision to go oneself or send a nurse on the transport depends on the clinical status of the patient

POAU is the primary anaesthesiologist responsible for all PACU patients from his or her arrival until they are discharged to the ward or home.
After leaving the hospital the POAU must ensure that the U1 pager is returned to the anaesthesia room and that the PACU has their cell phone number
POAU is responsible for all calls regarding PACU patients until 20:00 (which is when UBCH PAR closes)
UBC PACU direct phone number is 604-827-3677
There are no direct lines to the wards; pages from other locations will be to the switchboard at 822-7121

PRIOR TO LEAVING

U1 will discuss any patient issues with POAU prior to leaving
POAU should address any concerns the PACU charge nurse may have before leaving
If there will be a patient staying after 8 pm in PACU, the POAU must ensure that the PACU nurse is clear on who to call after 8pm - themselves or N1at VGH (who must be informed)
It is imperative that UBC switchboard be made aware of any changes to the UBCH anesthesia call schedule, so that the correct person is contacted on his/her personal cell phone.

Last Updated: March 2016