The Post Anesthesia Care Unit, aka the Recovery Room, is an integral part of SMITH Northview's Surgical Services Department.

Immediately after completion of surgery, the patient (often still under anesthesia) is transferred from the Operating Room to PACU, where he/she is closely monitored, one on one, by a Registered Nurse, who maintains adequate ventilation until the patient awakens and continuously monitors blood pressure, heart rate, and rhythm, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate.

Pain is also managed in PACU. When the patient's vital signs are stable and returned to their pre-op levels and the patient's pain is under control, the patient is transferred from PACU back to a regular room.

Endoscopy patients and pain clinic patients are also cared for by the PACU staff.

Our PACU consists of seven fully equipped bays and we are staffed with full time RN's and a transporter.