The Recovery Room is located on the second floor of the hospital next to the operating room/surgery.

There are signs referring to the "P.A.C.U." which means Post Anesthesia Care Unit. P.A.C.U. is what the hospital staff calls the Recovery Room. They are one in the same.

Following my operation or special procedure, I will awaken from my anesthesia in the Recovery Room. A post-anesthesia nurse will connect me to a monitor that will allow frequent checking of my blood pressure and heart rate. My breathing will be closely monitored by the nurse and also, with the assistance of a monitor that connects to my fingertip.

I will be wearing an oxygen mask. The nurse will ask me to deep breath and cough. This will assist in maintaining good lung function.

I will have an I.V. (intravenous needle) in place that allows the nurse to give me fluids and medications, such as pain medications prescribed by my doctor.

The average length of stay in the Recovery Room is 1.5 to 2 hours. If I have received a  "spinal anaesthetic", my stay will probably be longer as I must stay until the anesthetic has worn off and can move my legs again. If my stay in the Recovery Room is longer than expected a nurse will contact my family.

My family members may wait close by in the surgical waiting room on the second floor. The doctor will contact my family in the waiting room. A volunteer is present in the waiting room from 7:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. After 3:00 P.M. and during weekends and holidays, the Recovery Room Staff will call them in the waiting room to provide them with information, including room numbers since I will be staying overnight. Public restrooms and a telephone are available in the surgical waiting room.

Since there are usually many patients in the Recovery Room at any time, they do not allow visitors in this area. This protects all patients' privacy.