LAC 48:I.9445. Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

A. There shall be a PACU (recovery room) that is a separate area of the hospital, unless provisions are made for close observation of the patient until they have regained consciousness (e.g., direct observation by an RN in the patient's room). Access shall be limited to authorized personnel. There shall be policies and procedures which specify transfer requirements to and from the PACU. B. Effective as of the promulgation of these requirements, any new or existing hospitals undergoing renovations shall have a centralized nursing station with a direct line of sight to the recovering patient(s) that have received sedation or anesthesia. C. There shall be at least two healthcare personnel, one of which is a RN, present whenever there is a patient in the post-anesthesia care area. There shall be emergency equipment and monitoring equipment in the immediate area of the post-anesthesia care area. The equipment shall be commensurate with the surgical procedure and the medical requirements of the patient. That equipment shall include, but not be limited to, the following: 1. electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG) monitor; 2. pulse oximetry monitor; 3. temperature monitoring equipment; 4. equipment to administer oxygen; 5. equipment necessary to monitor vital signs; and 6. suction equipment.