Surgical Recovery Ward

The surgical recovery ward is an area a patient is taken to after surgery to safely regain consciousness from anesthesia and receive appropriate post-operative care. Most Sickbays and infirmaries have surgical recovery facilities, which are generally located in close proximity to the Surgical Bays. A ward may have private rooms, or it may be a large, partitioned space shared by many patients. Each patient bay, or space, is equipped with a variety of medical monitoring equipment.

Even in the 24th Century, surgery is an invasive procedure and a patient's body needs time to heal. The amount of time a patient requires in the recovery ward will vary by surgical or diagnostic procedure and the type of anesthesia used. As the patient recovers from anesthesia, their post-operative condition is assessed by the recovery nursing staff. A physician may order analgesic or antiemetic medication for any pain or nausea and vomiting, and the Surgeon and/or anesthesiologist may come by to examine the patient.