[The ambulatory anesthesia unit: a problem of organization]

A specialized unit in outpatient anaesthesia and surgery needs an adapted planning. During the preoperative period, it is particularly important to preserve the time of the patients. Different types of structures are possible for the intraoperative period depending on their degree of independence to a hospital. The hospital based unit, with independent facilities, offers various advantages. Its size and its conception must be adapted to the constraints of ambulatory technique, and to the expected needs. During the postoperative period, a special medical organization must be planned to help the patient if necessary. The part of the secretarial work is important for the success of such a unit. Its efficiency may be improved by computerised treatment of part of the information.