Your child will be brought to the recovery room, also called the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). You may wait at your child's bedside as he or she wakes up from anesthesia.
The length of time spent in recovery depends on the type of surgery performed, your child's response to surgery and anesthesia, and your child's medical condition. Registered nurses, anesthesiologists and other health care professionals will closely monitor your child. While your child is in recovery, clinicians will (when applicable) complete the following:
- monitor vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse and breathing
- monitor for any signs of complications
- take your child's temperature
- monitor your child's level of consciousness
- check tubes or drains
- check the wound
- check intravenous (IV) infusions
- monitor your child's urine output
- maintain your child's comfort with pain medication and body positioning.
- make sure your child is awake enough to swallow effectively before offering something to drink
When your child is awake and his or her vital signs are stable, he or she will be brought back to a regular hospital room or discharged home. Once your child is released, our nurses will provide instructions on how to provide care at home.
