Post Anesthesia Care Unit
Our patients’ safety, comfort and well-being are our top priorities.
After surgery, patients will be moved from the operating room to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) to begin recovery from anesthesia.
It can take an hour or two for patients to fully wake up. During this time, each patient is closely monitored by a nurse. A surgeon will contact the patient’s family to explain how the surgery went. This may be face-to-face in the waiting room or by phone.
The following information may answer many of the questions you and your family may have about your recovery:
What to Expect in the PACU
- The PACU is one large room where many patients recover at the same time.
- Each patient’s bed space can be draped off for privacy.
- People wake up from anesthesia in different ways. It is normal for a patient to feel confused until he/she becomes fully awake. A person’s response to these feelings may be crying, shouting, restlessness, trying to get out of bed, or stillness and quiet. Their behavior may seem out of character to you.
- Nausea and vomiting are also a common response to anesthesia. The nurse will ensure that the patient is safe and comfortable.
- Every patient has an IV (intravenous tube), usually inserted in the hand or arm, through which drugs or fluids can be administered if necessary.
- Each also has an individual monitor for continuous observation of blood pressure, heart rate and breathing.
- The monitor looks like a computer screen with cables going from the monitor to the patient. It has an alarm to alert staff of any changes. Occasionally, the alarm may go off simply because the patient is moving. We will let you know if an alarm is concerning.
- A patient may have drains, tubes or other medical equipment attached. We will explain all of them to you.
- A patient may require X-rays and blood tests while in the PACU.
- Sometimes emergencies occur in the PACU. This may require several members of the healthcare team to work together to address only the needs of that patient until the emergency resolves.
PACU Locations
There are two PACUs in this hospital. When the nurse calls and invites you to visit, the waiting room clerk will direct you to the PACU where your loved one is.
- Main PACU
The main PACU is located behind the Main Operating Room (OR). Follow the signs to the main operating room. Pick up the phone outside the OR door and tell them you have been called to visit the patient in PACU. Someone will open the door and direct you to the signs that lead to the PACU. The main PACU is located behind the Main Operating Room (OR). Follow the signs to the main operating room. Pick up the phone outside the OR door and tell them you have been called to visit the patient in PACU. Someone will open the door and direct you to the signs that lead to the PACU. The main PACU is located behind the Main Operating Room (OR). Follow the signs to the main operating room. Pick up the phone outside the OR door and tell them you have been called to visit the patient in PACU. Someone will open the door and direct you to the signs that lead to the PACU. The main PACU is located behind the Main Operating Room (OR). Follow the signs to the main operating room. Pick up the phone outside the OR door and tell them you have been called to visit the patient in PACU. Someone will open the door and direct you to the signs that lead to the PACU. The main PACU is located behind the Main Operating Room (OR). Follow the signs to the main operating room. Pick up the phone outside the OR door and tell them you have been called to visit the patient in PACU. Someone will open the door and direct you to the signs that lead to the PACU.
- Same Day Surgery (SDS) PACU
SDS PACU is located behind the Pre-Admission Room. Ask the waiting room clerk to direct you to the SDS PACU.
Visiting the PACU
Visiting in the PACU is very individual. Our goal is the safety, comfort, and well-being of your loved one and you.
Once the patient is ready for visitors, we will bring you from the waiting room to visit. As appropriate, this happens about 30 minutes after the patient is moved to the PACU, sometimes longer. Please know that a nurse or the waiting room clerk will direct you to the PACU as soon as it is possible to do so. We invite you to partner with us in caring for your loved one, so ask us how you can help. Together we will provide the best possible care.
The PACU nurse will answer any questions or concerns about your loved one’s recovery from surgery
Visiting Guidelines
To ensure the safety, comfort, and privacy of all the patients in the PACU, we ask that everyone follow these guidelines:
1) One visitor at a time. Please stay within the bed space of your family member or friend. Remember that rest is important for your loved one and all the patients in the PACU.
2) No children under 12 years old are allowed to visit in the PACU.
3) Cell phones should not be used near the patient.
4) Please know that you may be asked to step out of the PACU for a period of time due to an emergency or safety concern. We will allow you to re-enter the PACU as soon as it is safe for you and the patient.
5) Please respect the privacy of other patients while in PACU. We try our best to share the most up to date information with each patient and family. We ask that you not share any information you may see or hear about another patient.
Thank you, and let us know if you have any additional questions or concerns.