Patients' experiences of varicose vein and arthroscopy day surgery

A small-scale telephone survey of day surgery patients' (n = 30) experience of pain, nausea and vomiting, wound healing and fatigue during the 7 days following discharge and their views of the service is described. Respondents who had undergone either varicose vein stripping (n = 15) or arthroscopy (n = 15) were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. The findings indicated that most respondents expressed satisfaction with their recovery despite some evidence of postoperative morbidity. The majority of the sample indicated that they had received adequate information to enable them to cope at home and qualified nurses on the day unit were identified as a primary source of information. Following discharge, GPs or the day unit were key points of contact. The findings of this study, together with previous research, highlight important areas for further action by health professionals if this service is to be delivered effectively and efficiently.