DESIGN AND STAFFING

Location and Size

The PACU should be located close to the operating suite to permit anesthesiologists and surgeons to be nearby and allow rapid return of the patient to the operating room if necessary. The PACU should have access to immediate roentgenographic, blood bank, blood gas, and other clinical laboratory services. Having the PACU located near the ICU is also useful, especially if nursing staff is shared between the units.

The size of the unit is determined by the surgical caseload of the institution. Approximately 1.5 PACU beds per operating room used is generally adequate. This figure is roughly equivalent to two beds for every four procedures performed in a 24-hour period.^{[17] [18] [23]} An open ward is optimal for patient observation; however, at least one isolation room is a helpful addition to every PACU for the management of patients with either contaminated wounds or severe immunosuppression.