Frequency and implications of ambulatory surgery without a patient escort.
OBJECTIVE
A study was undertaken to identify the characteristics and outcomes of ambulatory surgical patients without an escort.


METHODS
During a 38-month period, the incidence of patients without an escort at one tertiary care institution was 0.2% (60/28,391). Five patients had their surgery cancelled. The other 55 patients had their surgery performed. Two groups of patients without an escort were identified: patients who were known not to have an escort preoperatively, and patients with "no show" escort. The number of patients with no show escort is much higher than the number of patients who were known not to have an escort preoperatively. The outcome of the no escort patients was compared with the matched control group of patients with an escort. There were no differences in the rates of unanticipated admission, emergency visits or read-mission into the hospital within 30 days comparing the group of patients with and without an escort.


CONCLUSIONS
The absence of an escort in ambulatory surgical patients occurs in 0.2% of surgeries, and varies according to the type of service. The number of patients with no show escort is higher than the number of patients with known no escort preoperatively.
Chung
Frances
F
Department of Anesthesia, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2S8, Canada. frances.chung@uhn.on.ca
Imasogie
Ngozi
N
Ho
Joyce
J
Ning
Xiangqun
X
Prabhu
Atul
A
Curti
Bruna
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D010354:Patient Escort Service; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome