International Association for Ambulatory Surgery

Clinical Indicators for Ambulatory Surgery

The following Clinical Indicators have been derived from the Australian and French Clinical Indicators and approved by the General Assembly in Boston 2003

Indicator 1. Cancellation of booked procedures.

1.1 Failure to attend the day surgery centre/unit.

• Acute medical condition.
• Decision of the patient
• Organisational reasons.
• Other reason (explain. ..)

1.2 Cancellation of the booked procedure after arrival at the day surgery centre/unit.

• Pre-existing medical condition.
• Acute medical condition.
• Organisational reasons.
• Other reason ( explain ...)

Indicator 2. Unplanned return to the operation room on the same day.

Indicator 3. Unplanned overnight admission.

• Surgical reason(s)
• Anaesthetic/medical reason(s)
• Social/administrative reason(s)

Indicator 4. Unplanned return of the patient to an ambulatory surgery unit or hospital. 

• < 24 hours
• > 24 hours and < 28 days

Indicator 5. Unplanned readmission of the patient to an ambulatory surgery unit or hospital. 

• < 24 hours
• > 24 hours and < 28 days

Additional clinical indicators considered inappropriate. 

• Mortality rate.
• Infection.