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Frequency and implications of ambulatory surgery without a patient escort

[La fréquence et les implications de la chirurgie ambulatoire de patients non accompagnés]

Frances Chung, FRCPC^*, Ngozi Imasogie, FRCA^*, Joyce Ho^*, Xiangqun Ning, MD^*, Atul Prabhu, FRCA^* and Bruna Curti, RN

^* From the Departments of Anesthesia, and
Nursing, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Address correspondence to: Dr. Frances Chung, Department of Anesthesia, Toronto Western Hospital, 399 Bathurst St., EC 2-046, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2S8, Canada. Phone: 416-603-5118; Fax: 416-603-6494; E-mail: frances.chung{at}uhn.on.ca

Purpose: A study was undertaken to identify the characteristics and outcomes of ambulatory surgical patients without an escort.

Clinical features: During a 38-month period, the incidence of patients without an escort at one tertiary care institution was 0.2% (60/28,391). Five patients had their surgery cancelled. The other 55 patients had their surgery performed. Two groups of patients without an escort were identified: patients who were known not to have an escort preoperatively, and patients with "no show" escort. The number of patients with no show escort is much higher than the number of patients who were known not to have an escort preoperatively. The outcome of the no escort patients was compared with the matched control group of patients with an escort. There were no differences in the rates of unanticipated admission, emergency visits or read-mission into the hospital within 30 days comparing the group of patients with and without an escort.

Conclusions: The absence of an escort in ambulatory surgical patients occurs in 0.2% of surgeries, and varies according to the type of service. The number of patients with no show escort is higher than the number of patients with known no escort preoperatively.

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				F. Chung and N. Assmann Car Accidents After Ambulatory Surgery in Patients Without an Escort Anesth. Analg., March 1, 2008; 106(3): 817 - 820. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. T. Awad and F. Chung Factors affecting recovery and discharge following ambulatory surgery: [Les facteurs influencant la recuperation et la sortie apres une operation en chirurgie ambulatoire]. Can J Anesth, September 1, 2006; 53(9): 858 - 872. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]