Applying the Perioperative Nursing Data Set Across Age and Population-Specific Groups

The Perioperative Nursing Data Set (PNDS) contains standardized definitions with unique codes that apply to all patient populations regardless of age or culture. It is the nursing activities, performed to accomplish the outcomes, that vary. Because the activities are not coded, nurses can individualize their actions to meet specific patient needs. The purpose of this article is to illustrate how the PNDS can be used to teach age- and population-specific care to novice and experienced perioperative nurses, write age- and populations-based competencies, and document delivered age- and population-specific nursing care.