[General anesthesia in ambulatory care and unaccompanied patients : incompatible ?]

Post-anesthesia discharge recommendations create organizational constraints for both patients and healthcare teams. In the absence of a reliable accompanying person, social admission is usually required, an issue likely to become increasingly frequent with an aging and more socially isolated population. This article reviews the various Swiss and international recommendations regarding discharge after ambulatory procedures, the origins of these recommendations, and the concept of accompanying person, as well as the tensions arising from their implementation. Emerging alternatives may offer potential solutions to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and promote access to ambulatory care in a constantly evolving society.