Postoperative voiding criteria for ambulatory surgery patients.

The number and types of surgeries being performed in ambulatory surgery facilities have increased during the past several years. Many surgeries that were once performed on an inpatient basis routinely occur in outpatient settings today. Patients are required to meet certain discharge requirements and, occasionally, voiding is included in this criteria. Requiring patients to void postoperatively, however, can unnecessarily delay a patient's discharge and contribute to increased anxiety for the patient. This article provides a case study with discussion, a literature review regarding postoperative voiding and urinary retention in ambulatory surgery, and recommendations for future research regarding postoperative voiding criteria for low-risk outpatients. (c) AORN, Inc, 2009.