Improving Identification of Pediatric Emergence Delirium in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit: A Quality Improvement Opportunity.

Objective: This article offers a recommendation on how the Pediatric Assessment Emergence Delirium Scale (PAEDS) could be implemented in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU) to improve the assessment and treatment of pediatric emergence delirium (PED).

Background: PED is an anticipated complication in the PACU characterized by mental confusion, irritability, disorientation, inconsolable crying, and prolonged postanesthetic recovery time. Although it is a short-lived phenomenon, it increases the risk for traumatic injuries and may lead to a decrease in overall parent satisfaction with their child's surgical experience.