Observations on 10,000 patients in the immediate postoperative period

During an 18 month period 10,103 patients were admitted to the recovery unit after surgery at a district general hospital. The majority of patients (62%) recovered rapidly from anaesthesia, but 36.5% required up to 2 h before they could return to the wards, and 1.5% required close supervision for more than 2 h. The patients' requirements during the recovery period are discussed, and suggestions on the equipment, staffing and organization of a recovery unit are made.