Outpatient surgery is one of the fastest growing trends In health care today. Providing preoperative and postoperative care to a diverse patient population in a limited amount of time presents numerous challenges. The nursing staff is required to assess the patient and resources, plan for the scheduled surgery and postdischarge care, implement the plan, and evaluate the patient's and family's understanding of the information and their ability to provide for self-care at home in as little as 2 hours. Preoperative care is discussed in this article along with specific guidelines for postoperative recovery and discharge planning. Care of the orthopaedic patient is highlighted throughout the discussion.
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