Impacts of elective surgical cancellations and postponements in Canada

Worldwide, patients experience difficulties accessing elective surgical care. This study examined the perceived health, social, and functional impacts of elective surgical cancellations and postponements in Canada.

We analyzed a subset of aggregate data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) annual components from 2005 to 2014. Multivariable logistic regressions examined associations between past-year non-emergency surgical cancellations/postponements and perceived impacts of waiting for surgery (e.g., worry/stress/anxiety, pain, loss of work, loss of income, deterioration of health, relationships suffered).

Among those who experienced a cancellation or postponement of a past-year non-emergency surgery (weighted n = 256,836; 11.8%), 23.5% (weighted n = 60,345) indicated their life was affected by waiting for surgery. After adjusting for type of surgery, year, and sociodemographics, those who experienced a surgical cancellation or postponement had increased odds of reporting their life was affected by waiting for surgery (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.67; 99% confidence interval [CI], 1.41 to 5.1); in particular, they reported greater deterioration of their health (aOR, 3.47; 99% CI, 1.05 to 11.4) and increased dependence on relatives/friends (aOR, 2.53; 99% CI, 1.01 to 6.3) than those who did not have a cancellation or postponement.

Results highlight the multifaceted perceived impacts of surgical cancellations/postponements. These findings suggest there is a need for improvements in reducing elective surgical cancellations and postponements. Results may also inform the development of targeted interventions to improve patients' health and quality of life while waiting for surgery.