PACU
Medical abbreviation · Hospital
| Stands for | Post-anesthesia care unit |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
PACU stands for Post-anesthesia care unit, a hospital abbreviation.
Recovery area where patients are monitored after surgery or procedures under anesthesia until they are awake, breathing well, comfortable and stable. Nurses manage pain, nausea and airway problems.
Example: Arrived to PACU 1130, drowsy but arousable, SpO2 97% on 2 L NC.
Usage notes
Pronounced "pack-you"; formerly called the recovery room. Phase I care covers immediate recovery, and phase II prepares outpatients to go home. Discharge readiness is often judged with scoring systems such as the Aldrete score. ICU patients may bypass the PACU entirely.
Related abbreviations
More hospital abbreviations
- NPSG – National Patient Safety Goals
- NSICU – Neuroscience intensive care unit
- Obs – Observation status
- OP – Outpatient
- OPD – Outpatient department
- OR – Operating room
- PASS – Pull, aim, squeeze, sweep
- PCMH – Patient-centered medical home
- PCU – Progressive care unit
- PGY – Postgraduate year
- PICU – Pediatric intensive care unit
- PPE – Personal protective equipment
See all 89 hospital abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.