title: Cancelled operations. A current problem in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
abstract: Public concern has recently focused on the problem of cancelled operations. In order to investigate the extent of oral and maxillofacial surgery cancellations, the University of Manchester initiated a 12-month prospective audit of lost operating time. During 1990, 31% of planned operations were cancelled, while nearly 20% of operating lists were lost completely. With the exception of public holidays and theatre maintenance days, the commonest reasons for cancellation included financial cut-backs, nursing staff shortages and failure of patients to attend.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Turner Dental School, University of Manchester Dental Hospital.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Thomson
mesh_terms: D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000600:supply & distribution; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D013218:State Dentistry / Q000191:economics; D013515:Surgery, Oral / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014600:Utilization Review