The Postanesthesia Care Unit

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PACU

Recovery from anesthesia can range from completely uncomplicated to life-threatening.

Must be managed by skilled medical and nursing personnel.

Anesthesiologist plays a key role in optimizing safe recovery from anesthesia.

History of the PACU Methods of anesthesia have been available for more

than 160 years, the PACU has only been common for the past 50 years.

1920’s and 30’s: several PACU’s opened in the US and abroad.

It was not until after WW II that the number of PACU’s increased significantly. This was do to the shortage of nurses in the US.

In 1947 a study was released which showed that over an 11 year period, nearly half of the deaths that occurred during the first 24 hours after surgery were preventable.

1949: having a PACU was considered a standard of care.

PACU Staffing

One nurse to one patient for the first 15 minutes of recovery.

Then one nurse for every two patients. The anesthesiologist responsible for the

surgical anesthetic remains responsible for managing the patient in the PACU.

PACU Location

Should be located close to the operating suite. Immediate access to x-ray, blood bank, blood gas and

clinical labs. Should have 1.5 PACU beds per operating room used. An open ward is optimal for patient observation, with at

least one isolation room. Central nursing station. Piped in oxygen, air, and vacuum for suction. Requires good ventilation, because the exposure to

waste anesthetic gases may be hazardous. National Institute of Occupational Safety (NIOSH) has established recommended exposure limits of 25 ppm for nitrous and 2 ppm for volatile anesthetics.

PACU Equipment Automated BP, pulse ox, EKG, and

intravenous supports should be located at each bed.

Area for charting, bed-side supply storage, suction, and oxygen flow meter at each bed-side.

Capability for arterial and CVP monitoring. Supply of immediately available emergency

equipment. Crash cart. Defibrillator.

Admission Report

Preoperative history Intra-operative factors:

Procedure Type of anesthesia EBL UO

Assessment and report of current status Post-operative instructions

Discharge From the PACU Aldrete Score:

Simple sum of numerical values assigned to activity, respiration, circulation, consciousness, and oxygen saturation.

A score of 9 out of 10 shows readiness for discharge.

Postanesthesia Discharge Scoring System: Modification of the Aldrete score which also

includes an assessment of pain, N/V, and surgical bleeding, in addition to vital signs and activity.

Also, a score of 9 or 10 shows readiness for discharge.

Aldrete Score

Activity Respiration Circulation Consciousness Oxygen Saturation

2: Moves all extremities voluntarily/ on command

2:Breaths deeply and coughs

freely.

2: BP + 20 mm of preanesthetic level

2:Fully awake 2: Spo2 > 92% on room air

1: Moves 2 extremities

1: Dyspneic, shallow or limited breathing

1: BP + 20-50 mm of preanesthetic level

1: Arousable on calling

1:Supplemental O2 required to maintain Spo2 >90%

0: Unable to move

extremities

0: Apneic 0: BP + 50 mm of preanestheic level

0: Not responding 0: Spo2 <92% with O2 supplementation

Postanesthesia Discharge Scoring SystemVital Signs

(BP and Pulse)

Activity Nausea and Vomiting

Pain Surgical Bleeding

2: Within 20% of preoperative baseline

2: Steady gait, no dizziness

2: Minimal: treat with PO meds

2: Acceptable control per the patient; controlled with PO meds

2: Minimal: no dressing changes required

1: 20-40% of preoperative baseline

1: Requires assistance

1: Moderate: treat with IM medications

1: Not acceptable to the patient; not controlled with PO medications

1: Moderate: up to 2 dressing changes

0: >40% of preoperative baseline

0: Unable to ambulate

0: Continues: repeated treatment

0: Severe: more than 3 dressing changes

PACU Standards 1. All patients who have received general anesthesia,

regional anesthesia, or monitored anesthesia care should receive postanesthesia management.

2. The patient should be transported to the PACU by a member of the anesthesia care team that is knowledgeable about the patient’s condition.

3. Upon arrival in the PACU, the patient should be re-evaluated and a verbal report should be provided to the nurse.

4. The patient shall be evaluated continually in the PACU.

5. A physician is responsible for discharge of the patient.