Decreasing Surgical Cancellations

Brenda Alexander, RN
Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

Introduction
Background Conclusion
Cancellation of surgeries in hospitals is a
With data concerning surgical cancellations as a significant problem. If surgical procedures are In conclusion, we found that implementing this
result of patients not completing necessary steps cancelled efficiency is jeopardized, waiting lists process was extremely helpful for the patients.
for a safe surgery – it is apparent that a plan needs increase and costs rise. If resources are not Not only did it reinforce the education that was
to be put in place to ensure patients are safe for properly utilized, the general population suffers. given to them at the pre-admission testing
their upcoming surgical procedure. The cost of the equipment and facility that is appointment, it also has made patients more
In an effort to ensure that all patients are safe, we underutilized add to the cost of the services that compliant with all tasks that are to be completed
will work with the pre-anesthesia testing area in ultimately gets passed onto the patients. Knowing prior to the day of surgery. As a result, the
developing and implementing a system to keep all the causes of the cancellations and avoiding them cancellation rate has decreased as patients
of the patients safe and on schedule. An is essential to help keep costs down for everyone. remember all they need to do prior to surgery
educational checklist was developed to give to all such as stopping anticoagulants, not eating after
pre-surgical patients so that we can ensure they
do all that is needed prior to surgery.
Method Results midnight the night before surgery, and bringing
devices necessary for surgery day. Patients now
have a greater understanding that their safety
There are many factors that can play into the throughout their surgical process is our number
decision of a patient’s surgery being cancelled. We found that after the pre-surgical checklist was one priority.
Some are beyond that patient’s control and others implemented, the patients understood and
require the patient to be well educated in all they . remembered what they needed to do in order to be
need to do in order to be safe for their surgical safe for their upcoming surgical procedures. We
procedure. We found that patients were not found that patients would not ask if there was
remembering all of the tasks that need to be something that they did not fully understand and
completed and that reinforcement would assist they would tend to forget as the PAT appointment
them. If patients do not comply and do all the is usually 2 -3 weeks prior to surgery day. Most of
tasks the checklist- they run the risk of the the patients do not fully understand how
surgery being cancelled.. After the patients were medication react with anesthesia and could cause
given the reinforcement to take with them harm. As the checklist was used more and more. it
following the PAT appointment, we found that they has resulted in less surgical cancellations.
were more compliant with the tasks that needed
to be completed and thus less surgical
cancellations are occurring.