Post-Anesthesia Care Unit

Overview

After surgery, patients are brought to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) to safely recover from their surgery and the effects of anesthesia. The length of time spent in the PACU depends on several factors, including the type of anesthesia used (general, regional, local, or sedation), the nature and duration of the surgery, and the individual needs of the patient.

Once patients meet specific recovery milestones—known as PACU Discharge Criteria—they are either transferred to the Surgical Day Care Unit or admitted to an inpatient hospital room.

What to Expect in the PACU

In the PACU, patients are cared for by a team of specially trained nurses who work closely with anesthesiologists and other members of the healthcare team. Care during this early recovery phase focuses on:

• Continuous monitoring of vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, etc.)
• Managing pain and nausea
• Assessing the surgical site for bleeding, swelling, or other signs of concern

Additional aspects of recovery, such as managing sedation, and anxiety, are also evaluated before discharge from the PACU.

The team is equipped to care for patients with specialized medical needs, including those with:

• Specialized monitors (central and arterial lines)
• Surgical drains (e.g., ventricular or subarachnoid drains)
• Stomas or feeding tubes
• Specialized venous access catheters

Pain Management

For patients undergoing major surgery, the PACU is where pain management strategies from the operating room are transitioned for a smooth recovery. This may include:

• Patient-Controlled intravenous Analgesia (PCA): Education, setup, and use begin in the PACU.
• Continuous nerve blocks: These specialized blocks are transitioned to the postoperative phase. These may include an epidural (in the back) or nerve catheters (e.g., in the arm or leg), which are closely monitored before transfer to the ward.

In some cases, patients may need to remain in the PACU longer—common reasons for this include severe obstructive sleep apnea or surgery-specific milestones. The PACU team collaborates with the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) if needed, and will coordinate transfers for patients who require critical care.

All patient care in the PACU is overseen by the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine.

Patient Information

• Admissions: If a patient requires admission to hospital after surgery, their personal belongings will be transferred from the Surgical Day Care Unit to their assigned hospital room. We recommend that patients leave valuables at home to prevent loss or theft.
• Campus Transfers: Patients requiring admission may be transferred by ambulance to the Civic or General Campus as appropriate. At the Riverside Campus, most patients are discharged home the same day. If this is deemed unsafe by the healthcare team, the patient will be transferred to the Civic or General Campus for admission.
• Discharge Home: Patients returning home after surgery will go back to the Surgical Day Care Unit, where they must stay for at least 30 minutes and meet specific discharge criteria. Light refreshments are available, as many patients are hungry after fasting for surgery.

Once ready, a friend or family member will be contacted with instructions on when and where to pick up the patient.

Contact Us

The PACUs are located at the General, Civic and Riverside Campuses and can be contacted through the hospital switchboard at 613-722-7000.

Location and Hours

Civic Campus: B Wing 3rd Floor, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week

General Campus: Critical Care Wing 1st Floor, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week

Riverside Campus: Main Hospital Operating Rooms, Mon. – Fri. 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

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Last updated on: May 13th, 2025