What does the abbreviation in "SSS/PACU" mean?

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I'm still looking for a job (graduated in August 08) and I have a question I need to ask. I know that PACU means post anesthesia care unit, but I do not know what SSS means. Anybody? Thanks.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

Hmmmm.....good question. I've never seen that.

If it were only 2 S's, I'd say, "Surgical Services", but the third......??????????

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Specializes in CTICU.

Short stay surgery?

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
Short stay surgery?

That would be my guess. A lot of hospitals have a "day surgery" department in which patients come in during the morning, get prepped, then go to the OR, then to PACU or other recovery unit, then go home the same day. It makes sense to combine that department with the PACU as a lot of the nursing skills are the same as they recover the patient.

There is a lot of work to do in prepping the patients early in the morning while the PACU is not yet busy. Later in the day, when the recovery area is busiest, there are fewer (if any) patients in the prep area.

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Specializes in OR.

It must be their abbreviation for same day surgery/short stay surgery. We use SDS for fast track patients who don't get general anesthesia. Cataracts, carpal tunnel, and anyone else who is receiving MAC instead of general. These patients bypass PACU after surgery and go directly back to SDS.

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