Surgical Outpatient Care: Triage, Time and Test

Abstract

Day care surgery is the standard of care for minor surgical procedures in developed countries and rapidly increasing in practice in developing countries. The main advantages of day care surgery are cost containment, early mobilization of the patient, less pain because of minimally invasive surgical techniques, early return of patient to their home and work. The downsides of day care surgery include the inability to treat all patients and perform all surgical procedures since surgical fitness for day care procedures is demanding, unforeseen readmission, the need for more operating rooms, and increasing expertise among health care workers. Considering day care surgery as systematic, scheduled and short duration stay in hospital, it is very important to select or sort out the cases which fit in the criteria according to all conventional definitions of triage. It is well organized within stipulated time frame and performed in fixed unit with proper assessment by anesthesia and nursing team in addition to core assessment of surgical team. Surgical option exercised and close follow up with ability to manage complications are integral components in working team. Delivery of more surgery in primary care has potential for enhancing patient-centred management by promoting the development of multi-specialty community providers and reducing length of hospital stay. The outpatient surgical centers provide many benefits and advantages for surgical patients with proper organizations, dedicated services, and meticulous procedures.