Postponement of elective surgical procedures is a major issue in health care facilities. It increases burden on hospitals and healthcare systems as well as misery of the patients and their family members. Patient's stay in the hospitals is prolonged. Hospitals and patients resources are wasted and their expenses are increased. The rate of postponement is different in different regions. It is estimated to be in between 9 to 44 %. Reason may be organizational or medical. Elective procedures are cancelled due to insufficient OT timings, non-availability of; anesthetists, blood or beds in ICU, change of plan and medical reasons like respiratory infections, cardiac problems, hypertension and uncontrolled diabetes. Tertiary care hospitals in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan are overburdened and patients on OT list are frequently postponed. Operating room timings has been increased to overcome the issue but no recent data is available regarding actual postponement rate and possible causes in this region. The need is felt to assess the problem and suggest recommendations to decrease patients' sufferings and improve hospital workings.
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Postponement rate of elective surgical procedures
Timeframe: Eight hours