An audit on surgery cancellation in a teaching hospital

Operative procedure cancellations are a dilemma for the healthcare system as well as for the patients. It causes increased workload and cost to our system. For patients, it has major financial, psychological as well as medical consequences. We aim to self-identify the causes of cancellations for efficient operation room management.

We performed a retrospective chart review in a tertiary academic medical center for the last 66 months of operative records. Subsequently, we performed thematic coding to categorize causes into distinct categories.

Our records showed 5153 cancellations which represent (7.3%) of the total booked procedures. Of these cancellations 91% were ordered before the day of surgery, compared to 9% for same-day cancellations. Cancellations were 58% female patients and 40% male patients. The number one reason for cancellations for both same-day and prior cancellations is the unavailability of the surgical consultant.

Surgical procedure cancellations profile is unique among our settings and has changed over time. Over the last 5 years, the number one reason is unavailability of the surgical consultant. Efforts should be made to identify and correct the underlying reasons to improve patient outcomes in our evolving healthcare system.