LAUSR

Day surgery has many benefits including a reduction in waiting lists, cancellations, hospital acquired infections and need for inpatient beds. It is also highly cost effective. The aim of this study is to identify which factors lead to the unanticipated admission of day cases, in order to adjust future patient selection, and retain efficiency A list of day cases that took place in 2017 was obtained from the HIPE department in St. Luke’s General Hospital. Day case patients who required admission were retrospectively analysed with the use of patient charts. Patient factors such as age, gender and co morbidities were recorded. The root cause of admission was identified, and the data collated. 457-day cases took place during 2017. 35/457 patients were admitted postoperatively (admission rate of 7.8%). The majority of patients were admitted post cholecystectomy (22) and incisional hernia repair (8). Surgical factors were responsible for almost all admissions. Surgical factors/complications are not always predictable, but a thorough review of a patient’s background history and imaging can lead to the identification of patients, who should be directed away from day surgery, minimising the need for unexpected admissions, and maximising the efficiency of the unit.