Outpatient surgery: What to do in the postoperative period? From the end of surgery to home surveillance

Abstract

Postoperative recovery and post discharge surveillance and support are essential in outpatient surgery success. The postoperative recovery process is divided into Phase I and Phase II, in which predefined clinical criteria are used to decide whether a patient can be moved to the next phase or be discharged to home, respectively. At discharge, postoperative indications are given in writing and an adult must accompany the patient. After discharge, the patient is monitored during the first few days, usually through a telephone call and predefined clinical parameters are evaluated. Outpatient surgery outcome evaluation is performed through specific indicators such as prolonged postoperative stay, unanticipated hospital admission, and return to hospital and readmission.