Anaesthetists Handbook - MEDICAL EDUCATION at University ...

PACU6. Oxygen and intravenous therapy, if appropriate, should beprescribed.Discharge from extended recovery to a wardIn addition to the above criteria:1. MEWS score 3 or less.2. Patient has produced adequate amounts of urine. Patient maybe discharged with urinary catheters in place.Discharge from OIR to the critical care unitPatients needing a higher level of care than that which can safely beprovided on the ward after 24 hours stay in extended recovery, will betransferred to the critical care unit as soon as practicable.Excessive workloadIn the case of excessive demands on the time of the duty PACUconsultant anaesthetist and the resident anaesthesia team, it may benecessary to restrict the availability of the urgent operating theatresfrom time to time.Problems for which a PACU nurse may need help• Delayed recovery.• Delirium and agitation, convulsion, hypothermia and shivering.• Airway obstruction, hypoventilation, hypoxia• Hypovolaemia, dysrhythmias, hypotension, hypertension.• Inadequate analgesia.• Control of PONV.Anaesthetists Handbook January 2010 55