Day Case Surgery - Obligatory and Elective Admissions

Description

The transcript introduces a presentation by Bob Handley, who discusses the complexities and evolution of day case surgery, particularly in orthopedic trauma. Handley outlines the difference between obligatory and elective patient admissions, highlighting the struggles associated with each category. He reflects on how the approach to surgeries has shifted over time, illustrating that once routine admissions for surgeries have become more nuanced, depending on patient conditions and hospital resource constraints.



Handley shares insights on the data he has gathered regarding day case surgeries for distal radial fractures, emphasizing the discrepancies in data collection and interpretation across different hospitals. He notes that while a significant number of patients who could potentially undergo day case procedures are currently being sent home, a lack of dedicated day case units and lists impedes the transition to an effective system.



Throughout the talk, he stresses the need for categorization of patients waiting for surgeries—highlighting a significant gap in management and care for those labeled as "held at home." He calls for better data collection and sharing to accurately reflect patient needs and hospital performance in treatment, underscoring a crucial effort to address unwarranted variations in service delivery.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-240855

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