The day surgery patient pathway

摘要

The pathway for all surgical patients starts with a consultation with their GP about a problem amenable to a surgical option, and ends, hopefully, with their return to normal health. Although for a day surgery patient the period spent in hospital having surgery will be just one day, all other elements of the pathway will be essentially the same as for any other surgical patient. This article outlines the key stages of the day surgery pathway, its delivery and audit to ensure that the patient receives high quality care.