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Trusts should commit themselves to provide the time and resources to educate those who provide intraoperative care for patients.²

Theatre teams should undergo regular, multidisciplinary training that promotes teamwork, with a focus on human factors, effective communication and openness.²

All staff should have access to adequate time, funding and facilities to undertake and update training that is relevant to their clinical practice, including annual mandatory training such as basic life support.²

All institutions should have protocols and the necessary facilities for managing postoperative care and should review and update these regularly.¹⁷⁹

The following protocols should be held and easily accessible for:

• management of postoperative nausea and vomiting
• pain relief for patients with chronic pain¹⁸⁵
• hypothermia¹⁸⁶
• blood transfusion
• fluid therapy
• acute coronary syndrome
• respiratory diseases
• hypotension
• hypertension
• monitoring following central and peripheral neuraxial blockade.¹⁸⁷

There should be a named lead consultant for the PACU.¹⁷²

Processes for the communication and implementation of patient safety alerts should be in place.