The reasons for cancellations of elective pediatric surgery cases at Queen Rania Al-Abdullah Children Hospital

Abstract EN

Objectives : To investigate the rate and the reasons of cancellation of elective pediatric surgery in our hospital and to formulate possible suggestions to minimize it.

Method : This is a retrospective study conducted between 1st of July 2012 to the 30th of June 2013.

The study population included all patient listed in the operating list in the day before surgery.

Cancelled case we defined as a case listed on operating list and did not undergo surgery on scheduled time during the same period.

Data collected from operating room data base and from incident report for cancellation of surgery for each cancelled case.

The data collected was analyzed to define the reasons for cancellation in our hospital.

Results : During the study period 6061 patients were scheduled for elective surgery.

More than 50 % of them were scheduled by general pediatric division.

Four hundreds and ninety cases were canceled on the day of surgery making the cancellation rate of 8 %.

The highest cancellation rate (16.7 %) was reported by ophthalmology department while lowest rate (2.8 %) was reported by ENT department.

patient related reasons were the commonest (69.8 %).

the commonest reasons were non- attendance on the day of surgery, followed by the presence of acute illness.

treating surgeon related reason counted for 23.8 % of cancellation.

incomplete work up, no need for surgery, and lack of time were the major reason for cancellation.

hospital related reasons counted for 6.4 % of cancellations.

the most common reason was non availability of ICU or ward bed.

Conclusion : This study clearly identifies that the reasons for elective surgery cancellation are multifactorial and complex, mostly non- attendance of patient is the major reason.

Redesigning our work processes by involving the patient in the care plan such as selecting date of surgery, establishing pre-operative anesthesia clinic and optimum surgical list booking should reduce rate of cancellation in our hospital.