Study reveals low rate of unplanned hospital admissions after ambulatory surgery

Editor's Note

A recent study, published by Perioperative Medicine on August 13 and conducted at a large US academic tertiary care ambulatory surgery center (ASC), found the incidence of unplanned hospital admissions within 24 hours after a procedure performed at an ASC is “exceptionally” low. The research, which analyzed data from over 53,000 surgical procedures performed between 2016 and 2022, revealed an unplanned admission rate of just 0.09%.

The study aimed to assess the incidence and risk factors associated with unplanned hospital admissions shortly after surgery, a key metric for evaluating the quality of care in ASCs. The researchers identified several significant factors that increased the likelihood of unplanned admissions. These included longer surgical duration, general anesthesia use, and the presence of specific comorbidities such as peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Notably, patients who underwent longer or more complex procedures were more prone to unplanned admissions, as were those with PVD or DVT.

While surgical complications were the most common reason for unplanned admissions, accounting for 55% of cases, the study found that anesthesia-related issues were less frequent, responsible for only 16% of admissions. This is a significant shift from previous studies, highlighting the advancements in anesthesia practices over the years.

The researchers also noted the unplanned admission rate observed is lower than what has been reported in earlier research. They attributed this to improvements in ASC practices and the comprehensive care provided immediately after surgery. The study’s findings suggest that even patients with higher risk factors, such as older age or higher BMI, can safely undergo surgery in an ASC setting, potentially broadening the eligibility criteria for ambulatory surgeries.