2021, Vol. 4, Issue 1, Part A

Materials & Methods: Medical records of 1207 patients, whose elective surgical procedures were cancelled on the day of surgery between June 2015 and May 2017, from all surgical specialties of the hospital, were retrospectively audited. The reasons for cancellation were noted.

Results: Of the 7316 cases scheduled for elective surgeries between June 2015 and May 2017; 1207 (16.49%) cases were cancelled on the day of surgery. The highest number of cancellations occurred in the specialty of orthopaedics (6.84%) followed by general surgery (5.41%). Both otorhinolaryngology (2.06%) and gynaecology (2.07%) exhibited similar cancellation rates whereas facio-maxillary surgery exhibited the lowest cancellation rate (0.09%). The main reason for cancellation was the unfit condition of patients for surgeries because of medical reasons [599 (49.6%)], followed by Inadequate operation theatre time [274(22.7%)], equipment failure [207(17.2%)] and patients not turning up for procedures [127(10.5%)].

Conclusion: Cancellation rates and reasons for cancellation vary across institutions. Regular prospective or retrospective clinical audits improve quality of health services, whereas control charts help in enhancing the overall picture and monitoring the reasons for cancellation. Most of the cancellations are avoidable.