Decreasing the length of stay in phase I postanesthesia care unit: an evidence-based approach.

Patient length of stay (LOS) in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) Phase I and Phase II influences patient throughput, staff nurse satisfaction, and financial expenditure. The purpose of this project was to determine if re-education of nursing staff would decrease the LOS in Phase I PACU. The goals of the leadership team were to implement a plan that would result in a decreased LOS, decreased financial expenditure, increased patient throughput, and a change in culture of the work environment.