Enhancing safety, patient experience and outcomes in an independent UK ambulatory aesthetic surgical clinic

Abstract

Background

The United Kingdom has witnessed a surge in independent aesthetic surgery clinics with ambulatory operating facilities. In this context, patient safety and satisfaction remain critical benchmarks of success.

Aim

This study presents a detailed analysis of a private aesthetic surgery clinic’s systems to optimise patient outcomes and ensure safety in day-case surgeries under general anaesthesia.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on prospectively collected data from 428 consecutive patients who underwent general anaesthesia for aesthetic surgical procedures at the clinic. Key metrics included times to discharge, complication rates and a patient questionnaire.

Results

Among the 428 patients, there were only four instances of urgent return to the operating theatre: three cases of postoperative infection and one patient requiring external transfer for a delayed presentation of a pulmonary embolus within 30 days of surgery. These findings correspond to a major complication rate of less than 2% (8/428), underscoring the safety of performing general anaesthesia aesthetic surgeries as day-case procedures when robust clinical systems are implemented.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that aesthetic surgical procedures can be safely and efficiently performed in a standalone clinic setting as day-case operations, with minimal complications and high satisfaction. This model highlights the potential for redefining standards of care in ambulatory aesthetic surgery, emphasising the importance of rigorous safety protocols and patient-centred approaches.