The same day admissions unit for elective surgery: a case study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this paper is to examine the activity of a purpose-built elective surgery unit in a busy district general hospital and the patient journey associated with same day admission to the elective surgery unit.


METHODS
This paper describes the layout of the elective surgery unit in a busy district general hospital and the associated patient journey. Early challenges are identified and potential cost savings calculated.


RESULTS
The potential for cost savings in the NHS with purpose-built units for elective surgery are immense.


CONCLUSIONS
An elective surgery unit has not been described in detail before. Apart from its value to the NHS, hospitals in developing countries can benefit from knowing about the early challenges, described in the paper, that were faced.
Vijay
Vardhini
V
Department of Surgery, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, UK. Vardhini.vijay@gmail.com
Kazzaz
Sarmad
S
Refson
Jonathan
J
D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D010343:Patient Admission; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital; D006113:United Kingdom