AN ANALYSIS OF LAST-MINUTE SURGICAL OPERATION CANCELLATIONS: PATTERNS, CAUSES, AND IMPACT
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Keywords
Operation Cancellations, Preoperative Assessment, Patient Non-attendance, Hospital Efficiency, Theatre Management
Abstract
This study analysed 200 cases of operation cancellations at tertiary care hospital from January 2021 to December 2022 to identify contributing factors and propose solutions for reducing cancellations. Patient records were reviewed, and reasons for cancellations were categorised through a validated checklist. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 11.5. The results revealed that high-risk underlying diseases were the most common cause (24.5%), followed by patient non-attendance (13%), changes in clinical status (9%), lack of operation theatre time (9%), patient dissatisfaction (7%), and incomplete NPO time (7.5%). The gender distribution showed a higher frequency of cancellations among males (58.5%) than females (41.5%), with the highest number of cancellations observed in the 21–80 age groups. The study highlights the importance of preoperative assessments, patient education, efficient theatre management, and equipment maintenance to minimise cancellations. Implementing these measures can improve operational efficiency, optimise resource utilisation, and enhance patient outcomes.
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Dr. Soundara Rajan
Assistant Professor, Department of General Surgery, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences & Hospital, Osudu, Puducherry – 605502