title: Elective surgery: a comparison of in-patient versus day surgery practices in Ireland.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Currently, there is a paucity of research which has assessed practices at the point of care for day surgery patient.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To outline the patient journey from first referral for surgery and identify structures and processes which facilitate or constrain the provision of day surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective medical charts review of 200 consecutively presenting patients undergoing elective surgery in two Irish teaching hospitals. Data collection was completed from January 2009 to March 2009. This analysis spanned from first referral to the hospital until discharge and follow up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Great variability was noted in practices between the two hospitals. While some of the differences in practice become barriers to increased rates of day surgery, others did not have an impact.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study echoes findings of other similar studies in that management of patients undergoing elective surgery which varies significantly across Irish hospitals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, Ireland. b_meshkat@hotmail.com
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meshkat
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cowman
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gethin
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Higgins
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mulligan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D003625:Data Collection; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors