Reasons for cancellation of operation on the day of intended surgery in a multidisciplinary 500 bedded hospital

Abstract

Background:Cancellation of operations in hospitals is a significant problem with far reaching consequences. This study was planned to evaluate reasons for cancellation of elective surgical operation on the day of surgery in a 500 bedded Government hospital.Materials and Methods:The medical records of all the patients, from December 2009 to November 2010, who had their operations cancelled on the day of surgery in all surgical units of the hospital, were audited prospectively. The number of operation cancelled and reasons for cancellation were documented.Results:7272 patients were scheduled for elective surgical procedures during study period; 1286 (17.6 %) of these were cancelled on the day of surgery. The highest number of cancellation occurred in the discipline of general surgery (7.1%) and the least (0.35%) occurred in Ear-Nose-Throat surgery. The most common cause of cancellation was the lack of availability of theater time 809 (63%) and patients not turning up 244 (19%) patients. 149 cancellations (11.6%) were because of medical reasons; 16 (1.2%) were cancelled by the surgeon due to a change in the surgical plan; 28 (2.1%) were cancelled as patients were not ready for surgery; and 40 (3.1%) were cancelled due to equipment failure.].Conclusion:Most causes of cancellations of operations are preventable.

Cancellation of elective surgeries in a Brazilian public hospital: reasons and estimated reduction

“…This assumption is based on two premises: (a) most reasons (80%) for surgical cancellations are avoidable, including clinical reasons, such as uncontrolled systemic arterial hypertension or diabetes mellitus on the day of surgery (26) . These alterations are considered the main reasons for surgery cancellations (22,26) ; (b) out of 6.79% of elective surgeries canceled in the institution under study, 3.13% occurred for "non-clinical reasons" and 3.26% for "clinical reasons". Furthermore, the main reasons for surgical cancellations at the institution under study are not different from those found in hospital services in developed countries.…”

“…It is the nurse's responsibility to use the information about the microeconomic features of the process, as well as direct and opportunity costs, in order to manage the SC and develop strategies to solve the problem (1) . Considering that: a) a low rate of surgical cancellations is one of the indications of quality and, consequently, of management efficiency and, therefore, cancelling surgeries implies in underuse of operating rooms and increase of the waiting list and institutional cost (22) ; b) the actors involved in the surgery itinerary, responsible for assistance or management, must be aware that the underuse of public structure raises the cost of the services, which will be reflected upon users, family members and themselves, not only financially but also psychologically; c) the misuse of public resources does not contribute to investments in working conditions and to the quality of the service offered to citizens;…”

Economic and psychological burden of scheduled surgery cancellation in a sub-Saharan country (Burkina Faso)

“…General surgery had the highest number of cases scheduled for operation at 2 196 (30.1%) followed by orthopaedics at 1 812 (25%) in India. 23 The DOS cancellation rate according to specialty varied in the literature.…”

Cancellation of elective surgical procedures in the university teaching hospital center Yalgado Ouedraogo in Burkina Faso: incidence, reasons and proposals for improvement

“…Cancellation for long preceding surgery was identified in 2.6% of cases. Kumar and Gandhi 13 in India reported 63% of cancellations being due to a lack of time related to a long preceding surgical operation. Late starting time, going beyond expected duration and a long time cleaning the OT between two cases led to a waste of resources.…”