Profile of half-day arthroscopic surgery in a district general hospital.
The first 50 patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery as a half-day procedure in Doncaster Royal Infirmary were studied: 22 patients underwent an arthroscopic meniscectomy and 6 patients had other procedures. The mean return-to-work time for meniscectomy patients was 23.9 days. The cost improvement per patient, when compared with a two-night stay in hospital, was pounds 432.84 per patient. Not only is this a comparatively comfortable operation for the patient, but a rapid return to work is possible. The saving to the Department of Health and Social Security, when assessed on a national scale, could be very considerable.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Doncaster Royal Infirmary.
J F
JF
Redden
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics*; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000191:economics*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006767:Hospitals, District / Q000191:economics*; D006769:Hospitals, General / Q000191:economics*; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged