You should have at least 2 people in the PACU w/ the pt. If something were to happen, then it would mean big trouble for all involved. Why should you suffer because your hospital is just trying to eek by w/o spending the $? In the state of PA, there must be two licensed people on the unit when there is a pt. Maybe your state BON could help or the health regulatory agency in Florida. I am not sure what the nurses organization for PACU is. They have a PACU forum here I think. You could see what their standards are because even though it is OB PACU, you are held to the same standard. This makes me so po'd when I hear a hopsital is putting nurses and pt's in a dangerous situation (usually to save $). Thought their purpose was life saving, not $ saving when we all went into this. Good Luck! You really need it! P.S. if you are going to do something to report the facility, don't threaten, just do it. You don't need to make yourself a target. The facility needs to do what laws and regulations dictate, not scape goat you. The facility already knows what the standard is and whether or not they are compliant. Now educate yourself and do what you believe is necessary. I reported my former employer for a violation and belive me, I did it anonymously so my name was not out there to other employers as a trouble maker. I have never told any of my former co-workers that I reported the hospital and I would do it again if I thought it was necessary in the same manner.
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