Specifications Manual for Joint Commission National Quality Measures (v2019A1)
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Release Notes:
Data Element
Version 2019A1

Name:PACU Discharge Date
Collected For: THKR-IP-2, THKR-OP-2
Definition:The month, day, and year the patient was discharged from the PACU following the total hip or total knee replacement.
Question:What was the date the patient was discharged from the PACU following the total hip or total knee replacement?
Format:
Length:10 – MM-DD-YYYY (includes dashes) or UTD
Type:Date
Occurs:1
Allowable Values:

MM = Month (01-12)
DD = Day (01-31)
YYYY = Year (20xx)
UTD = Unable to Determine
Notes for Abstraction:
  • The intent is to capture the date the patient physically left the PACU. If a patient is discharged from a PACU level of care, however, remains in the PACU, do not abstract this date. EXCEPTION: In the outpatient setting, if a patient is discharged to home from the PACU setting, use the date anesthesia cleared the patient to the next level of care as the PACU discharge date.
  • If multiple PACU discharge dates are documented, select the latest date.
  • If the PACU Discharge Date is unable to be determined from medical record documentation, select “UTD.”
  • The medical record must be abstracted as documented (taken at “face value”). When the date documented is obviously in error (not a valid date/format) or is outside of the parameters of care (after Discharge Date or Outpatient Departure Date) and no other documentation is found that provides this information, the abstractor should select “UTD.”
    Example:
    • Documentation indicates the PACU Discharge Date was 02-42-20xx. No other documentation in the medical record provides a valid date. Since the PACU Discharge Date is outside of the range listed in the Allowable Values for “Day,” it is not a valid date and the abstractor should select “UTD.”
Suggested Data Sources:
  • Anesthesia record
  • Nursing notes
  • Nursing flow sheet
  • Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Record
  • Recovery Room Record
Additional Notes:
Guidelines for Abstraction:
Inclusion Exclusion
None None

PACU Discharge Date
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Specifications Manual for Joint Commission National Quality Measures (v2019A1)
Discharges 10-01-19 through 12-31-19 (4Q19)

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