Your Initial Recovery After Surgery in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

General Information:

After surgery, you will need immediate, careful monitoring, while you recover from anesthesia and gradually awaken.

You will be moved directly from the Operating Room to a special Recovery Room, which we call PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit). In PACU, you will be provided with oxygen, intravenous lines, and continuous cardiac and respiratory monitoring, while your anesthesia wears off.

PACU is staffed by Registered Nurses who have advanced education and training in the post-operative care of patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery. These nurses continuously monitor your condition and provide aid and comfort as you recover.

An anesthesiologist, a doctor who specializes in the care of patients undergoing surgery and who provides anesthesia, will also be in the PACU to monitor your recovery from anesthesia.

Visitations while you are in PACU:

Visitation in PACU is limited in order to promote privacy for all patients, decrease the risk of infection, and to enhance the healing process. However, parents/guardians of pediatric patients (under 18 years old) will be allowed in PACU on a controlled basis.

Every effort will be made to provide your family with current information about your condition. They will be informed about your transfer to your in-patient room, as soon as your room assignment is known.