North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) has opened a $25.7 million, 42-bed post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). The 17-month project, completed in house, represents the next phase in the hospital’s perioperative modernization initiative designed to transform surgical care.
NSUH is a member of Northwell Health, which has committed more than $600 million toward the hospital’s development. Work began on the new 11,400-square-foot PACU upon completion of the landmark 288,000-square-foot Petrocelli Surgical Pavilion in 2024. As new operating rooms (OR) went into service, several older ORs inside the legacy hospital were retired to make way for an expanded and spacious state-of-the-art PACU that is configured to maximize patient comfort, privacy and clinical excellence.
“North Shore University Hospital remains dedicated to advancing health care delivery and serving as a beacon of medical excellence for Long Island, greater New York and beyond,” said Michael Gitman, MD, NSUH president, deputy president of the Central Market and senior vice president at Northwell. “The new PACU reinforces the hospital’s position as a top-tier destination for advanced surgical care and enhance overall patient experience.”
NSUH’s PACU, designed to meet the growing demand for complex surgical procedures, has several advanced clinical and comfort features:
- 40 individual recovery bays and two isolation rooms
- Enhanced privacy: Thoughtfully designed spaces that maximize patient comfort and dignity during a critical stage of recovery
- Latest monitoring systems to ensure continuous, precise observation of patients as they emerge from anesthesia
- Integrated systems for vital sign monitoring, electronic health record access and streamlined communication among care teams
- Entertainment packages at the bedside, dedicated patient lockers and additional nourishment stations
- An efficient layout that supports staff in providing attentive and responsive care
In addition to the new patient space, the project included the creation of a new frozen section lab, the expansion and upgrade of three locker rooms for perioperative staff, as well as significant upgrades to other legacy ORs.
“The opening of the new PACU is a crucial component of NSUH’s broader strategic initiatives and provides the necessary infrastructure to support an increasing volume of surgical cases along with the specialized care required for more complex procedures,” said David Hirschwerk, MD, vice president and chief medical officer at NSUH. “The new PACU allows us to provide an even higher level of individualized care, with ample space and the latest technology to ensure optimal patient outcomes and a smoother transition from the operating room.”
