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• Great potential exists when a PACU space is being planned to create an efficient, safe environment for both patients and personnel. Along with state-mandated construction and spacing requirements, the Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals and Outpatient Facilities (2014) provides excellent, practical guidance for designing a new space. If a PACU already exists, the FGI Guidelines provides information to safely and efficiently use existing space.
• Each patient care “station” must be a minimum of 80 square feet (7.43 square meters) for each patient bed, exclusive of general circulation space within the PACU, with a space for additional equipment described in the functional program and for clearance of at least 5 feet (1.52 meters) between patient beds and 4 feet (1.22 meters) between patient bedsides and adjacent walls (FGI, 2014, 2.2-3.3.4.3(2)).
• Where bays are used, a minimum clear floor area of 60 square feet (5.58 square meters) shall be provided for each patient in a lounge chair or stretcher.
• Where cubicles are used, each patient care station shall have a minimum clear floor area of 80 square feet (7.43 square meters).
• Where single-bed rooms are used for Phase II recovery, a minimum clear floor area of 100 square feet (9.29 square meters) shall be provided in each room.
• Clearances are as follows:
  • For bays, a minimum of 4 feet between the sides of lounge chairs or stretchers,
  • In all patient care stations, a minimum of 3 feet between walls or partitions and the sides and feet of lounge chairs or stretchers.
• A medication station, handwashing sink, staff toilet, patient toilet, and provision for cleaning bedpans shall be provided in postoperative patient care areas (FGI, 2014, p. 174, 2.2-3.3.4.6(4).
• At least one handwashing station with hands-free or wrist blade-operable controls shall be available for every four beds or lounge chairs, uniformly distributed to provide equal access from each bed, and must include provisions for drying hands without contact to drying device or dispenser, and liquid or foam soap dispensers. Avoid bar soap.
• An airborne isolation room is not required in a PACU. However, policies and procedures must be developed to protect healthcare personnel from exposure to airborne-transmitted diseases.