La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § I-9445

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section 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.

1. - 5. Repealed.

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.

La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-9445

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of the Secretary, Bureau of Health Services Financing LR 21:177 (February 1995), amended LR 29:2420 (November 2003), Amended by the Department of Health, Health Standards Section, LR 501489 (10/1/2024).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S.36:254 and R.S. 40:2100-2115.