Emergency ambulatory surgery: Can it work?

Abstract

Ambulatory surgery has been shown to be a management regimen associated with high quality of care and patient satisfaction. Recent research has suggested that some facets of emergency care could similarly be improved by earlier senior face-to-face consultation, a reduced time awaiting a surgical procedure and a ‘fast track’ recovery process.

This review aims to provide information regarding the pathway of emergency ambulatory surgery and the typical changes required to optimise the process, whereby patients receive non-elective care in the most efficient way. While the concept may obviously not be suitable for all emergency care, the literature suggests that some procedures may benefit from optimisation of care, with a shortening of stay. To this end, within the United Kingdom, the National Health Service has developed a roll out of ‘Same Day Emergency Care’ using an established network of hospitals to deliver multi-disciplinary teamwork and further the concept of shorter stays in the hospital domain.