MARCH 1994, VOL 59, NO 3 AORN JOURNAL

surgery, splenectomy, herniorrhaphy, thy- roidectomy, pulmonary surgery, breast surgery, and miscellaneous surgery.

This book describes common surgical proce- dures with clear diagrams pertinent to each pro- cedure and provides a rapid anatomic review of these operations. Each chapter addresses anato- my, technique, indications, variants, salient fea- tures, and postoperative complications.

This book may be useful to medical and nursing students, or it may be an additional resource for OR libraries. This book is avail- able from Lea & Febiger, 200 Chester Field Pkwy, Malvern, PA 193559725,

PEARL M. TORKESYAP, RN, CNOR THORACIC CHARGE NURSE/~RTHOPEDIC SURGERY

BOSTON VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER

NURSING PROCESS

Nursing Care Plans: Guidelines for Planning and Documenting Patient Care, third ed By Marilynn E. Doenges, Mary Frances Moorhouse, Alice C. Geissler 1993,1,108pp $34.9.5 paperback The authors describe this third edition as a tool for attaining the level of competence expected of professional nurses and for validating the appro- priateness of care provided. The nursing care guidelines are designed for nursing students and clinicians and can be used to teach students how to implement the nursing process. Clinicians also can employ the guidelines to communicate and document individualized patient care and justify patient care charges and staffing patterns in this era of complex governmental regulations and third-party payer requirements.

The book, organized by body systems for easy reference, is designed for use in acute medical and surgical settings. The book’s ratio- nales for interventions enhance the nurse’s clin- ical judgment and decision-making skills.

The first three chapters discuss current issues, historical aspects of the nursing process (including the development of nursing diagno- sis), and the creation of a nursing-based assess- ment tool and plan of care. Chapters four

through 17 present planning guides that reflect collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches. Patient outcomes and discharge goals are inte- grated into each of these clinical chapters.

Although the chapters pertaining to patient problems and needs refer mainly to preopera- tive and postoperative care, the information is useful to perioperative nurses for assessing problems, identifying learning needs, planning care, and evaluating outcomes. In chapter 17, the authors discuss intraoperative care, includ- ing common nursing diagnoses for the surgical patient (eg, knowledge deficit, fear/anxiety, in.jury, infection, pain, tissue perfusion). The drawback of this section is that the extensive body of perioperative literature pertaining to planning and providing perioperative care is not included in the bibliography. As a separate section on intraoperative nursing considera- tions, however, it reflects an important step for- ward in enhancing continuity of care and achieving a more holistic perspective. A peri- operative nurse educator is among the contribu- tors, and this provides greater credibility to a book written about medical/surgical patients.

This book is available from F. A. Davis Co, 1915 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19103-9954. PATRICIA C. SEIFERT, RN, MSN, CNOR, CNRFA

OR COORDINATOR/CARDIAC SURGERY THE ARLINGTON (VA) HOSPITAL

SPECIALIZATION

The Complete Recovery Room Book By Antheu Hutfield, Michael Tronson 1992,384 p p $80 hardcover, $3.5 paperhack This book is a timely addition to any nursing professional’s personal library but especially to nurses who provide or are learning to provide care in the postanesthesia care uni t (PACU). It is important to have access to professional books that address specialties yet also are valu- able to others in the general field. The purpose of the book is to provide a concise yet thorough textbook for PACU nurses in Samoa and also to provide nurses worldwide with a comprehen- sive reference text. This book accomplishes its

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AORN JOURNAL MARCH 1994. VOL 59. NO 3

goal. It is a book that can be used year after year by PACU nurses, but it also is very helpful for all perioperative nurses.

The book is well organized. It begins with instructions on setting up a recovery room and then progresses to patient care and basic physi- ology. Although the text is simplistic, it is use- ful as a teaching guide and it is a good refer- ence for the experienced PACU nurse. The for- mat facilitates obtaining information for periop- erative nurses who may or may not have much, if any, PACU experience. It helps the perioper- ative nurse understand the entire realm of total care for the perioperative patient. The illustra- tions, tables, and figures are outstanding-sim- ple, yet direct. The chapters are concise but do not sacrifice vital information. The appendices also are appropriate and helpful.

The style and use of language is appropriate; the writing is clear and readable. It would be of great value to many health care audiences. The overall rating of this book is ,4++. It provides an extensive overview of care of the patient in the PACU. All PACU nurses could benefit from reading this text, and it i s of tremendous value to the beginning PACU professional. It will continue to be a vital tool for the future, and it could be considered a “bible” for PACU nurses everywhere.

This book i s ava i lab le f rom Oxford University Press, Inc, 2001 Evans Rd, Cary, NC 27513.

JANN L. MIEHL, RN, MSN, CNOR

HCA PARKWAY MEDICAL CENTER LITHA SPRINGS, GA

STAFF NURSE

ENVIRONMENT

An Ounce of Prevention: Waste Reduction Strategies for Health Care Facilities, third ed By Hollie Cusky-Shaner, Connie Lench Bison, Gleiiri McRnc 1 9 9 3 . 2 1 4 ~ ~ $29.95 American Society,for Healthcaw En- viroiimental Services meniherx. $50 nonnieni- hers, paperback Printed on 100% recycled paper from 100%

postconsumer waste and printed with soybean ink, this resource presents an analysis of waste reduction, waste recycling strategies, and relat- ed issues. This information is intended to be used by direct caregivers and environmental management services personnel to manage the waste stream (ie, trash) of health care facilities.

Topics range from waste assessment to the implementation of waste reduction and waste recycling programs. Examples of change, edu- cation, communication, and team building prin- ciples, as applied to these programs, are includ- ed. The book emphasizes the importance of purchasing recycled and recyclable items and addresses the public relations factor of recy- cling. The authors state that health care facili- ties can become environmental protection lead- ers in the community.

Each chapter’s important information is pre- sented in a bold column on the side of each page. Case studies, definitions, diagrams, tools, and resources are available to expand on each chapter’s theme. The book also includes waste assessment data forms, a sample job description for a waste reduction specialist, and instruc- tions for conducting an organized waste sort.

Standardized recycling da ta sheets are included for materials commonly found in the waste stream of health care facilities. Nine areas of information pertinent to recycling are discussed, including contaminants that can make an i tem useless for recycling. Additionally, a recycled products index is included to demonstrate the variety of recycled products that are available.

At the end of the book, the authors request feedback from the readers regarding the useful- ness of the information provided. The authors ask readers to send information about waste reduction and waste recycling programs in their facilities.

There are a few typographical errors in the text, but considering the need for further educa- tion regarding protection of our environment, these errors are inconsequential. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for all health care facilities.

Th i s book is available from American

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