The future of day surgery
Day surgery is no longer the fastest surgery on the fittest patients. The criteria for what is suitable are being stretched by the inclusion of older, less fit patients and more major procedures, enabled by developments in surgery and anaesthesia. Different modes of postdischarge care will be developed, although the cost-effectiveness of these must be established. Increasing attention will need to be paid to quality issues and to patients’ attitudes as to what is actually acceptable. This underlines the importance of good day surgery practice.