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