Screening Processes Effective for Ambulatory Surgery, According to Duke University Study

Cardiac and respiratory complications, as well as other problems not related to surgery, were the most common cause of unplanned hospital admissions after ambulatory surgery, according to a study presented at the 2011 annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists and reported in Anesthesiology News.

The researchers at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C., reviewed the charts of 28,456 patients who underwent ambulatory surgery between 2006 and 2010 at a freestanding surgical center next to the university. The study found an unplanned hospital admission rate of 0.45 percent, or 127 patients. The average age of admitted patients was 48 years, with an average body mass of 30 kg/m2.

Just over half of the admitted patients were classified as ASA physical status I/II, with the remainder having classifications of ASA III/IV and obesity. The main reasons for admissions were medical-related issues, cardiac complications and then surgical-related reasons. Medical-related issues were the most expensive to treat.

The researchers believe the low unplanned admission rate means the Duke staff chose patients who were appropriate for outpatient surgery.

Related Articles on Anesthesia:
Anesthesiologist Dr. Brian Davidson to Run for University of Colorado Regent's Seat
Four Loyola Anesthesiologists Contribute to National Anesthesia Reference Manual
Changes in Ocular Alignment After General Anesthesia May Indicate Surgical Outcomes

© Copyright ASC COMMUNICATIONS 2012. Interested in LINKING to or REPRINTING this content? View our policies by clicking here.