IMPACT OF HIGH-QUALITY PERIOPERATIVE AND PREANAESTHESIA NURSING INTERVENTIONS ON PATIENT RECOVERY, SATISFACTION, AND SAFETY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract Background: The postanesthesia care unit (PACU) is a critical phase where patients are vulnerable to complications such as respiratory depression and cardiovascular instability. High-quality nursing care during the perioperative and anesthesia recovery period plays a vital role in enhancing patient safety, satisfaction, and recovery outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of nursing interventions and organizational strategies during the perioperative and preanaesthesia periods, and their impact on patient outcomes and operational efficiency. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Studies published between 2010 and 2024 were identified from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using terms related to perioperative nursing, preanaesthesia assessment, and patient outcomes. Eligible studies included original research on nursing roles and strategies in the perioperative context. Five studies met the inclusion criteria and were synthesized narratively due to methodological heterogeneity. Results: Included studies employed randomized controlled trials, observational studies, Delphi consensus, and qualitative methods. Nurse-led digital tools such as the PATCH system showed comparable satisfaction and consultation time to traditional assessments. Structured nurse-run preanaesthesia clinics improved assessment quality and satisfaction without adverse outcomes. Studies also highlighted core outcome sets for perioperative research, emphasized the importance of nursing competencies in PACUs, and showed that quality of recovery alone does not fully explain patient satisfaction. Adequate staffing and effective nurse scheduling further supported care quality. Conclusion: Nursing interventions during the perioperative and anesthesia recovery phases positively influence patient satisfaction, safety, and care efficiency. The integration of digital tools, standardized outcome frameworks, and adequate staffing enhance the impact of nursing care.