Specialty surgical teams. Results of a study.

Perioperative nursing is changing in response to the increasing complexity of patient care during diverse, specialized surgical procedures. As a result, designated specialty surgical teams have evolved to fulfill needs of the patient, nurse, and surgeon. This exploratory, descriptive study examined reasons for implementing specialty surgical teams, the frequency and composition of such teams, and their perceived benefits. Data concerning the prevalence and specific use of specialty surgical teams are necessary to validate and redefine the nature and role of specialized perioperative nurses.