title: The past, present and future of the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) in Japan.
abstract: The postanesthesia care unit (PACU), which is run and coordinated by anesthesiologists, delivers general medical supervision as well as close and constant care to patients who have just undergone a surgical procedure under anesthesia. Although PACU management has been considered a standard procedure in many developed countries since the 1940s, Japanese hospitals have tended to cease their management, and only 16.1% of hospitals in Japan currently have PACUs. In today's efficiency-required atmosphere in Japan, we need to consider a better postoperative management method, including facilities similar to the PACU, to prevent serious adverse events and improve the postoperative outcomes and quality of life. Nevertheless, the way postoperative patients are treated and cared for, and the location in which they receive such attention, will likely need to be modified to fit the Japanese style due to Japan's unique medical systems and traditions. Here, we describe the past, present and future of the PACU and postanesthesia care in Japan compared with other countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan. sentoy@med.nagoya-cu.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Yoshiki
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9868-1793
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sento
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshiyasu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, National Center for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasuyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia and Acute Pain Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, 41 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, VIC, 3065, Australia.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sobue
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D011788:Quality of Life; D011997:Recovery Room
keywords: Operating room efficiency; Patient safety; Postoperative recovery unit; Recovery room; Serious adverse event (SAE)