Abstract
August 2004
1 Basic Surgical and Perioperative Considerations
9 Outpatient SurgeryElective surgery procedures that were regarded as unsafe in an outpatient setting as late as the mid-1990s are now being performed in ambulatory centers. This chapter addresses issues relating to the safe and cost-effective approach to outpatient surgery. The selection of suitable patients involves asking several key questions (listed in the chapter) and assessing patient risk factors. Next is the selection of an appropriate setting for the procedure; the four options are office surgical facilities, freestanding day surgical units, in-hospital day surgical units, and in-hospital inpatient units, collectively referred to as ambulatory surgical centers. Issues pertaining to perioperative management and performance of the operation are reviewed (e.g., preoperative patient education, premedication, anesthesia, monitoring, and immediate postoperative care), as well as discharge and control of postoperative problems (e.g., delayed discharge or unexpected hospital admission, nausea and vomiting, pain, infection, and urinary retention). The explosive growth of outpatient surgery and the positive effects it has had on patients are discussed. This chapter contains 97 references.
© 2005 WebMD Inc. All Rights Reserved.
WebMD Professional Publishing, P.O. Box 1819, Danbury CT 06813 (800-545-0554 or 203-790-2087)
