Emergency surgery: half a day does make a difference.
The emergency operating patterns in a district general hospital were significantly altered by the introduction of an afternoon emergency theatre list co-ordinated by a consultant anaesthetist. Before the introduction of the list, 88% of emergency operations were carried out after 17.00, with 40% of cases waiting until after 22.00. Introduction of the emergency session significantly reduced the operations performed after 17.00 to 53%, with only 12% being delayed until after 22.00.
D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006767:Hospitals, District / Q000458:organization & administration; D006769:Hospitals, General / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017748:Time Management; D014600:Utilization Review