– has to be available for urgent consultation if
it seems necessary.
5. Who runs the PACU? The majority of PACUs in
Europe are run by anaesthesiologists, and the
responsibility for care is also devoted to the
anaesthesiologist [4].
6. Patients admitted to the PACU: exclusively postanaesthesia
or post(peri)operative patients.
7. Transfer from operating room to PACU:
– By suitably trained staff,
– Under the supervision of an anaesthetist,
– Portable monitoring is recommended if alteration
or deterioration of patient’s condition may be
anticipated or the distance of operating room and
PACU makes it reasonable,
– Steps should be taken to protect the patient during
transfer mainly from:
– traumatic injury,
– hypoxia,
– hypothermia,
– soiling of the airway,
– accidental disconnections or removal of drains,
lines, and catheters.
– Properly designed transfer trolleys or beds are
needed [5], equipped with:
– oxygen cylinders, masks, and tubing,
– infusion poles,
– equipment(s) to secure and support airway and
assist ventilation;
– provision of clamps for drainage tubes,
– protective ‘sides’,
– a means to produce head-down tilt.
– Handover: on arrival to the receiving unit [6]
– full and formal handover should take place from
professional to professional,
– with a completed anaesthetic record together
with important details of surgery,
– with specific verbal and written instructions for
postoperative care,
– drugs and fluid regimens must be written on
appropriate charts,
– the anaesthetist should ensure that recovery
staff is taking over the responsibility before
leaving the patient.
– Observation and record keeping: each patient must
be kept under continuous clinical observation
during transport. Physiological parameters should
be measured and recorded at regular intervals.
8. Transfer from PACU to the ward:
– A formal ‘checklist’ is highly recommended
for the staff to satisfy themselves that the
patient is fit to be discharged from recovery area
[7].
– Documentation accompanying the patient should
include instructions for:
– supplemental oxygen,
– fluid therapy,
– analgesic and antiemetic regimens