Surgery Cancellation on the Day of Surgery: A Report from an Academic Center in Northern Iran

Mohammad Reza  Habibi; Leila Kanafi  Vahed; Ali Faghih  Habibi; Soudabeh  Haddadi; Fatemeh Sadeghi  Gilzad; Gelareh  Biazar; Mohadese  Ahmadi

doi:10.18502/jimc.v8i2.17712

Mohammad Reza Habibi Anesthesiology Research Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Alzahra Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Leila Kanafi Vahed Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Ali Faghih Habibi Otorhinolaryngology Research Center, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck surgery, School of Medicine, Amir-al-Momenin Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Soudabeh Haddadi Anesthesiology Research Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Alzahra Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Fatemeh Sadeghi Gilzad Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Gelareh Biazar Anesthesiology Research Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Alzahra Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Mohadese Ahmadi Anesthesiology Research Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Alzahra Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jimc.v8i2.17712

Keywords: Anesthesia, Hospitals, Surgery, Operating rooms

Abstract

Background: Cancellations of elective scheduled surgeries on the intended day is a major problem for healthcare organizations with significant negative outcomes for patients and hospitals. This study aimed to investigate the rate and the reasons for day of surgery cancellations at an academic center in the north of Iran.

Methods: This retrospective single center study was conducted at Amir-al-Momenin Hospital, a referral and academic center in Guilan, Iran, during 2018-2022. A detailed review of a total of 187 cases canceled was performed. A responsible medical student filled out a checklist including type of surgery, patients’ age, ASA class and the cause of cancelation.

Results: From 41900 cases, 187 surgeries were canceled representing a cancelation rate of 0.46%. The most common reason for cancellation was “change in the patient’s clinical condition” by 59.1%. The other reasons were ‘patient refusal’ 8%, ‘lack of correct timing for elective surgeries’ 7%, and ‘Technical problems in operating room facilities and equipment and unavailability of surgeon/surgeon’s opinion’ 5.3%. ‘Insufficient paraclinical tests’ and ‘lack of anesthesia pre-operative visits’ 0.5% had the least frequency among the reasons of cancelations.

Conclusion: The rate of day of surgery cancelation was low (0.46%). The majority of causes of cancelations were due to patient-related issues, particularly changes in patients’ clinical condition on the scheduled day of the operation. Process improvements need to be considered continuously to further decrease in cancelation rate.