Acta Biomedica Scientia

AN ANALYSIS OF LAST-MINUTE SURGICAL OPERATION CANCELLATIONS: PREVALENCE AND UNDERLYING CAUSES

Dr. Pankaj Kumar1*, Dr. Raushan Kumar

Surgical Operations, Patient Complaints, Surgical Procedures, Frequency, Financial Status.

Rising healthcare expenditures have emphasized the need for operational efficiency in hospitals, with operating room cancellations being a significant contributor to resource wastage. This study investigates the causes of surgical cancellations at Gouri Devi Institute of Medical Science and Hospital, West Bengal, and offers insights for improvement. Methods: A retrospective review of 8,256 operations conducted between 2018 and 2023 identified 166 cancellations (4%). Patient records were analysed to classify reasons for cancellations, and a comprehensive checklist was developed through international studies and local expert validation. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 11.5, with a significance threshold of 0.05. Results: The primary reasons for cancellations included high-risk underlying diseases (24.7%), patient non-attendance (12.8%), changes in clinical status (9.1%), insufficient operating room time (9%), patient dissatisfaction (7.1%), and incomplete Nil Per Os (NPO) compliance (7.7%). Patient ages ranged from one month to 102 years, with a mean age of 50.6 years. Cancellations caused increased costs, disrupted operations, and negatively impacted patient care. Discussion: High-risk conditions and patient non-attendance emerged as the leading causes of cancellations. Enhanced pre-operative evaluations, patient education, and better scheduling strategies are recommended to mitigate these issues. Operating room inefficiencies due to prolonged procedures and technical faults were also noted, highlighting the need for systematic improvements in hospital operations. Conclusion: Addressing the identified causes of cancellations through collaborative efforts, improved communication, and robust operational management can significantly reduce cancellations and enhance hospital efficiency. Implementing these changes may lead to improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.