Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)/Recovery

Service/Responsibilities

The Post Anesthesia Care Unit offers post-anesthesia care to all surgical patients. 

Technology

PACU has the latest monitoring technology to assist recovery for all surgical patients.

Staffing

All RN’s staff PACU. A unit clerk and patient care technician support the RN staff. Average daily census is 50 patients. PACU staff has the ability to recover medically stable to critically ill patients. The patient care ratio is based on patient acuity and can be one on one or two on one care.

Training/Education

PACU nurses are trained in critical care and/or PeriAnesthesia nursing. PACU nurses have ACLS certification and are encouraged to obtain NALS and PALS certification. In addition PACU nurses can obtain specialty certification from ASPAN.

Continuous Quality Improvement

PACU participates in IHI (The Institute of Healthcare Improvement) and SCIP (Surgical Care Improvement Indicatives).