The Santa Monica Perianesthesia area (PTU, PACU, and TRU) is a unique blended unit known for its strong team spirit and healthy work environment fostered by transparent and proactive leadership. This positive culture has reignited passion in nurses and contributes to a cohesive team of over seventy clinical nurses across three specialties. Patients have noted the "amazing energy" of the staff, which aids in healing. The team is dedicated to evidence-based practice and continuously seeks to improve patient care. The Unit Practice Council (UPC) plays a key role in implementing changes, such as better tracking of patient wait times, and is involved in projects like creating patient education videos. Staff also work on standardizing practices to improve recovery times and prevent complications. The unit’s director promotes a vision of compassionate, high-quality, and equitable care. The unit has achieved significant milestones in patient safety, including 500 days without a fall in February 2023 and receiving the Zero Harm Award. They maintain a low average of one patient fall per year in PTU/PACU and TRU, which is remarkable given their specialized patient population. Their dedication to patient safety is further evidenced by implementing a fall prevention bundle. The unit also achieved the 98th percentile nationally in HCAHPS in the second quarter of 2024, reflecting excellent patient satisfaction. 

The PTU/PACU/TRU actively engages with the community, as demonstrated by being the top UCLA Health Fundraising Team in the 2023 AHA Heart and Stroke Walk, raising over $13,000. The staff volunteers in events like the Pediatric Halloween Parade and the Angel Food Drive. The unit has received numerous awards, highlighting its excellence in various areas. These include the Silver Beacon Award, the only PTU/PACU/TRU Beacon Awardee nationwide, and the 2024 AACN Beacon Award for Excellence. The unit director has also received individual awards for leadership. The unit is the first in the nation to receive this type of award for a blended unit. During COVID-19 surges, the staff demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability by taking on different roles and utilizing team nursing approaches to meet the increased demands, all without complaint. They continued to provide excellent care even with increased patient acuity post-pandemic. The unit boasts high staff satisfaction, with a 92% positive rating in a recent survey and an 85% response rate, outperforming the rest of the system. The turnover rate is exceptionally low, indicating a committed, loyal staff who feel valued. The unit has expanded patient access by establishing the TRU in 2022, which has served over 3,000 patients with high satisfaction rates. They provide comprehensive care throughout the patient journey, with cross-training nursing ensuring efficient resource allocation. The unit director fosters a supportive and transparent environment, emphasizing teamwork and providing professional growth opportunities. Programs like the 3P Mentorship Program for new hires and a pathway for CNII to CNIII advancement demonstrate this commitment. Most nurses are certified, and the leadership team holds advanced degrees. The unit is deeply committed to providing compassionate care, as evidenced by patient feedback and its approach to caring for vulnerable populations like autistic individuals. They strive to meet the individual needs of patients and their families, often adapting workflows based on feedback. Congratulations!