Patients recovering from anesthesia require meticulous monitoring and specific care. Use this postanesthesia care unit flowchart template and add, remove or modify steps so that it reflects the procedures in effect for this critical time of patient care in your facility.
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit
Process Overview
Perform a physical assessment
Check vital signs
Upon receiving transfer report, meet the patient at their specific ward and bring them to the PACU
Surgery team briefs PACU team on patient
Patient admitted to PACU by attending nurse
Surgery Completed
Patient is transferred to Ambulatory Surgery Unit, Medical Surgery Unit, or Critical Care
Change all dressings as necessary
Monitor patient activity
Check elimination
Monitor patient diet
Assign Nurse to patient
Notify surgeons of patient status