In the Recovery Unit

Immediately following your surgery, you will be transported to a private recovery room or area. This is called the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit or PACU. You will stay here for one or more hours before being discharged or, if your procedure requires staying overnight, being taken to your hospital room.

Monitoring Your Progress

While you are in the PACU, nurses and other healthcare providers will be monitoring your recovery progress. They may:

• Check your blood pressure, temperature and pulse
• Maintain the IV that provides pain medication, fluids and antibiotics
• Look for any signs of fever, infections or other complications of surgery
• Give you an oxygen mask to help recover from anesthesia
• Teach you coughing and breathing techniques to clear your lungs and prevent pneumonia

Receiving Visitors

Once you are alert, one visitor at a time may be invited into the recovery area to see you. Your surgeon might also stop by to check on you.

Children under the age of 12 are not permitted in the recovery units.