Summary
Day surgery is a continually evolving specialty performed in a range of ways across different units. In recent years, the complexity of procedures has increased with a wider range of patients now considered suitable for day surgery. Effective pre-operative preparation and protocol-driven, nurse-led discharge are fundamental to safe and effective day and short stay surgery.
These guidelines offer information and guidance on day care and short stay surgery, including:
- The selection of patients for day surgery
- Social, medical and surgical factors in day surgery;
- Pre-operative preparation
- Urgent cases
- Management and staffing
- Postoperative recovery and discharge