post-anesthesia care unit


post-anesthesia care unit

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PACU

A unit to which patients are admitted after surgery for the monitoring of signs and symptoms that suggest that they may have poorly tolerated their anesthesia or operation. The typical PACU is staffed by nurses who evaluate patients for symptoms of instability (e.g., bleeding, chest pain, or labored breathing), or unstable vital signs (e.g., excessive pain, low blood pressure, poor oxygenation, or tachycardia). Anesthesiologists, hospitalists, and/or surgeons may be available for consultation or the management of emergencies.