2. Definition of terms used in
ambulatory surgery
• Outpatient surgery: not admitted to a ward facility
• Procedure room surgery: surgery not requiring full
sterile theatre facilities
• Day or same-day surgery: admitted and discharged
within the 12-hour day
• Overnight stay: 23-hour admission with early morning
discharge
• Short-stay surgery: admission of up to 72 hours
3. History
The earliest reference for day care surgery is mentioned
as early as the beginning of the 20th Century by
James Nicoll, a Glasgow surgeon who performed
almost 9000 outpatient operations in children in
1903.
4.
5.
6. Day care Pathway
• Day surgery is a patient pathway, not a surgical
procedure and extends from first patient contact to
final discharge
• Unplanned overnight admissions are minimized by
ensuring that:
• the patient is informed and fit for the procedure;
• the procedure itself is achievable as a day case; and
• the home environment can support a postoperative
patient.
7. Referring Doctor
Specialist Consultation return patients
unsuitable for surgical or
medical reasons
Preoperative Assessment
Schedule & Admission
Surgery
Recovery
Successful Discharge
Unplanned overnight admission