Introduction
Day case surgery is a well-established field of the NHS and is increasingly being positioned as the "default option" for elective procedures1. This study evaluates emergency department (ED) visits within 30 days post-operatively, analysing the nature and frequency of associated complications.
Methods
We collected data on ED visits following day-case surgery over three months (January–March 2024), categorising outcomes: discharge without follow-up, GP referral, outpatient referral, or hospital admission. These attendances were mapped to the parent specialty and a comparison made with the same data set taken March – May 2011 in the same trust.
Results
Of 3329 day-case surgeries, 81 patients (2.4%) attended the ED within 30 days, with 52 (1.5%) having surgery-related concerns. Of these, 25 (0.8%) required hospital admission, mostly within the first seven days (20/25). The remaining 27 patients were discharged without follow up (n=18) or referred for an early outpatient clinic appointment (n=9). ENT (n=21) and urological (n=13) procedures accounted for most surgery-related ED visits, with others linked to maxillofacial, plastic, breast, gynaecological, and general surgery.
Conclusions
The rate of hospital admissions within 30 days of day-surgery aligns with data from 2011. This indicates that despite the growing pressures on ambulatory services, particularly in the post-COVID recovery phase, readmission rates have remained stable. Tightening up guidance on point of access for NHS services for low-acuity concerns could help reduce unnecessary visits to busy EDs.
References
1. Duncan AN, Sayers R, Getting it right first time: what have we learnt?. Surgery (Oxford) 2023; 41: 489-494. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mpsur.2023.05.002
Authors
Mark Hanna
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Chester, United Kingdom
Robert Schofield
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Chester, United Kingdom