The Postanesthesia Care Unit and Beyond

Abstract A critical segment of the perioperative care of children is the transfer from the operating room to the staffed post anesthesia care unit (PACU). A well designed, fully equipped, and appropriately staffed PACU is essential for providing high quality and safe care. This chapter emphasizes the importance of vigilant monitoring and discusses common occurring events, the perioperative environment, and strategies to provide optimal care for children in the postoperative period.