The causes of cancelled elective surgery.

We reviewed causes of cancelled elective surgery in a community hospital. Over a 6-month period, during which 4100 operating room procedures were completed, cancellations occurred in 13% of cases scheduled for outpatient surgery, 9% of cases scheduled for admission the same day, and 17% of cases scheduled for inpatient surgery. Dental procedures had significantly higher rates of cancellation among outpatient procedures, and cardiovascular surgical procedures had significantly higher rates among inpatient procedures. Chart review of cancelled inpatient cases showed 43% due to administrative reasons with unsigned consent the most common cause. Medical factors were responsible in the remaining cases, with reevaluation of the surgical condition and associated medical illnesses equally common as reasons in this category. Appreciation of the usual reasons for cancellation can improve utilization by permitting administrators and providers to anticipate those cases in which problems might arise so that additional attention can be paid to them.