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Please note that the following guidelines apply to most patients having surgery at Redding Medical Center, but not all of the patients. These are general guidelines only. Specific conditions may require specific needs. Please contact the pre-op nurse or anesthesiologist if you have any questions.
The Recovery room is a Post Anesthesia Care Unit sometimes referred to as PACU. The Recovery Room is a very safe place to be directly postoperatively. Your Anesthesiologist and Nurse will provide attention to your needs and assist you in awakening from your surgery safely and comfortably.
Is this where I go directly from surgery?
Most likely you will be brought to the PACU following your surgical procedure. Here, a specially trained nurse gives you constant care. You will stay in this room while your anesthesia wears off.
How long will I be in the Recovery Room?
Most patients stay in the Recovery Room for approximately one hour. Patients receiving minimal anesthesia are often times sent to their rooms sooner. Occasionally, you may stay longer, depending on your surgery and how fast you recover from your anesthetic. Also, there can be delays with postop hospital room availability. We will be communicating these situations to you and your family members.
What happens while I am in the Recovery Room?
The Anesthesiologist oversees your recovery in the PACU. Depending on the type of anesthetic you received in the OR, you may awaken with an oxygen mask on your face. Your Recovery Room nurse will soon remove it. The nurse will be asking you to take deep breaths open to keep your lungs clear. A device called a Pulse Oximeter will be placed on the end of a finger that monitors the level of oxygen in your blood. Your blood pressure will be taken open. We will also be monitoring your heart by use of an electrocardiogram.
What happens when the anesthetic wears off?
Initially, you may experience blurred vision, a dry mouth and occasional chills. Your vital signs are watched closely. Bandages are checked. You may have additional tubes and drains besides the IV in your arm. If you feel cold, there are warming measures available. A nurse will be there to assist you with reorientation. Occasionally, nausea is felt. The RR nurse will be there to help reduce this feeling with medication and relaxation techniques.
Will I have pain when I awaken?
People feel some pain and discomfort after surgery. Everyone has a different pain threshold and reacts to pain in an individual way. If you have pain or discomfort, your Recovery Room nurse will be there to administer medications intravenously to help make you more comfortable. Some of the patients who have regional anesthesia may not experience pain if the anesthesia is still in effect.
Where do I go from the Recovery Room?
After leaving the Recovery Room, you will be taken to your designated hospital room. If you are going home the same day as surgery, you will be returning to ACS, the area where you were first admitted. We want to be sure that any problems such as pain, bleeding or nausea are under control before you leave for home. If you will be spending a few days in the hospital, we will take you to a designated nursing unit. We have a Surgical Services Dept., an Orthopedic Unit, a Neurological Unit as well as other specialized units in the hospital. Occasionally, some patients will need to go to the Intensive Care Unit after Recovery Room. Once in your designated room, the nursing staff will assist you and carry out further physician orders. Depending upon your surgeon's orders, most patients, but not all, will be given something to drink and later something to eat. For your safety, the nursing staff will need to help you the first time you get out of bed. Your Anesthesiologist may come by to check on your condition while you are in the hospital.
Can my family members visit me in the Recovery Room?
No, Family members are not allowed in this area. If the patient is a child, one of the parents may be allowed to be with the patient.
RAAMG wishes to thank Joann Carter, RN for her help in preparing this document
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Last modified: May 14, 2003
May 16, 1998