6. THE POSTANAESTHESIA PERIOD

Question 1

6.1 Care of patients recovering from
anaesthesia

Question 2

6.2 Transfer from theatre to recovery room

Answer 2

1. A roller board should be used, if available, and the patient
   should be gently transferred from the theatre bed to trolley/
   bed.
2. An adequate number of staff should be available to transfer
   the patient from the theatre bed to the patient trolley/bed.
3. All lines and equipment should be handled with care.
4. The oxygen mask, filter and suction tip should accompany
   the patient to the RR
5. An IV infusion stand should be available on all trolleys/beds.
6. The dignity and privacy of the patient should always be
   protected.
7. The bed should be tidy and clean.
8. All trolleys/beds should be fitted with safety straps or cot
   sides. These should be in working order.
9. The anaesthetic nurse/specifically appointed person should
   assist the anaesthetist with transferring the patient to
   the RR.

Question 3

6.3 Guidelines for the handover of
postoperative patients to the staff of
the theatre recovery area

Answer 3

Stable patients in all respects
Tell the recovery staff about preoperative and intraoperative
condition/problems
Airway secured
Muscle relaxants adequately reversed
Painand nausea under control
Ensure that fluids and haemoglobin are adequately replaced
Dischargethe patient from recovery room

Answer 4

Answer 5

The anaesthesiologist is responsible for:
• Supervising the recovery period and authorising the patient’s
discharge.
• Accompanying the patient to the RR and adequately
handing them over to the nursing staff, who will document
the patient’s condition on arrival and subsequent course in
recovery.
• Providing appropriate written and verbal instructions and
information to the RR staff for each case.
• Specifying the type of apparatus and the flow rate to be used
in oxygen therapy.
• Remaining in the facility until the patient meets the criteria
detailed above or delegating this responsibility to another
anaesthetist or intensivist (after providing appropriate
information to such a doctor).

Answer 6

The airway should remain the responsibility of the physician
anaesthetist until such time that conscious control is taken
back over by the patient or the responsibility is handed over
to another responsible physician anaesthetist. SASA strongly
recommends that endotracheal tubes and supraglottic
devices should be removed by the attending anaesthetist.