Figure 71-1 The postanesthesia care unit should be well lighted, spacious, and equipped to deal with any possible postanesthetic emergency. A central nursing and physician station is useful. Each bedside should be fully equipped with air, oxygen, and suction. The phase 1 unit (A) is busy, and open units are common. A phase 2 unit (B) can be adjacent to a phase 1 unit and needs to have facilities for patients to make the transition to a return home. (Photographs courtesy of Dr. Alex Macario.)