Nonclinical Factors Affecting PACU Discharge: A Clinical Audit in a One-Day Surgery Unit

Nonclinical delays account for a considerable extension of a patient's time in PACU. The findings of this study suggest that understanding and addressing the causes of delayed discharge in PACU may help to improve patient flow and reduce discharge times. Future research should include the cost associated with these delays and assess the effectiveness of interventions introduced to eliminate such delays.