• J Esposito and F Masson.
• Département d'anesthésie-réanimation 1, hôpital Pellegrin, Bordeaux, France.
• Ann Fr Anesth Reanim. 1997 Jan 1;16(7):866-72.

ObjectivesTo estimate the number and type of patients, who could be managed on a day-care basis in a University Hospital. Cases of ambulatory anaesthesia (AA) which could be managed in optimal conditions and current AA practice. To assess patients' opinion on inpatient or outpatient practices.Study DesignProspective survey over 8 weeks in 21 medical units potentially concerned by ambulatory practice.PatientsSeries of 1,396 patients undergoing an operation included in a previously established list of outpatient procedures.MethodA questionnaire was completed for each patient, from preoperative anaesthesia consultation until discharge. Thereafter patients were contacted after home discharge by telephone or mail.ResultsIn the group of the 1,396 selected patients, 301 (22%) were contra-indicated for AA. In optimal conditions AA was indicated in 20% of all patients treated in these units. At the time of the survey there were 285 outpatients (26% of potential AA, 5% of all patients). Complications were uncommon. Ninety-eight percent of them would choose day surgery again. Among the 810 inpatients, 279 responded: 53% would prefer to be an ambulatory patient.ConclusionAt the time of this survey only one fourth of the possible oupatients for AA had in fact been treated on a day-case basis. Its development requires an improvement of the structures, team organisation and patients' information.

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