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There should be an anaesthetist or a professional with suitably qualified airway skills who is available for patients in the recovery unit within two minutes.^185,187

Adequate provision through job planning and service demand should be made for an anaesthetist-led acute pain service.^188,189

Adequate provision within job plans should be made for a member of the anaesthetic team to visit the following groups of patients within 24 hours following their operation:

• those graded as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status 3, 4 or 5
• those receiving epidural analgesia on a general ward 
• those discharged from the recovery unit with cardiovascular invasive monitoring...

All patients who have received an anaesthetic affecting central nervous system function and/or a loss of protective reflexes should remain where anesthetised until recovered or be transported safely (with care and monitoring as indicated below) to a specifically designated recovery location for post-anaesthesia recovery.¹⁸²

Operating theatre complexes require a dedicated recovery unit. This unit should be located in the operating theatre department and should be separate from the department’s admission area. It should have a separate access for transfer of patients to the ward.^185,190

The size, design and facilities of the recovery unit must meet the Department of Health and Social Care guidelines.¹⁹⁰

The bed spaces should allow unobstructed access for trolleys, x-ray equipment, resuscitation trolleys and clinical staff. The facility should be open plan, allowing each recovery bay to be observed but with the provision of curtains for patient privacy.¹⁷²

Oxygen and suction should be present in every recovery bay and ideally delivered by pipeline.¹⁸⁵

An emergency audible and visible call system should be in place, checked regularly to maintain functionality and understood by all staff.¹⁷⁸

Drugs, fluid and equipment required for resuscitation and the management of postoperative complications should be available within three minutes and regularly maintained.^185,187