21st Century

The PACU continues to evolve as the 21st century begins. In large tertiary care hospitals, the increasing number of critically ill patients requiring prolonged stay in the ICU has forced hospitals to examine ways of using the PACU as a short-term area for critically ill patients receiving respiratory and circulatory support.^[13]

In contrast, in freestanding surgical centers, anesthesiologists must design an anesthetic to ensure that patients can go home after a short PACU stay. The PACU staff must optimize a quick and safe recovery for patients while containing costs, meeting staffing guidelines, and managing fast tracking.