F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 3 3
Implementing an
anesthesia assess-
ment pre-op phone
call will help you
address most issues
that can cause case
cancellations. It's
still important to
stay on top of poten-
tial day-of-surgery
problems, according
to Natalya E.
Nelson, DNP, RN, CNOR, unit director of UCLA Santa Monica
Ambulatory Surgery Center and the Medical Procedure Unit at
UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica.
1. No NPO. Patients who eat just before they arrive for surgery
usually didn't get a clear explanation of your NPO requirements.
Be specific and precise with your language. A patient might hear,
"Have a light breakfast," by which you meant a piece of dry toast
and clear fluids. Maybe that patient usually eats several pancakes
in the morning and might consider a short stack a "light break-
fast." Remove all ambiguity.
2. Logistical miscommunication. The patient arrives at the
wrong campus, or at the wrong time. The patient arrives late for
surgery, but the surgeon is already gone for the day, so the sur-
gery is cancelled. You had the wrong phone number for the
patient and couldn't get in touch. The list goes on and on. Make
PROACTIVE APPROACH
6 Common Causes for Case Cancellations
• PAYMENT PLAN Inform patients of exactly how much they will owe out of
pocket so there are no surprises on the day of surgery.