Surgical day care: a review of 5,427 cases.

A surgical day care unit was established at the Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, in 1975. This study includes 5,427 patients who underwent ear, nose and throat, gynecologic, eye and plastic surgery as well as other surgical procedures in the unit. The organization and staffing of the unit are also described. The feasibility of performing minor to intermediate surgical procedures requiring general anesthesia on a day basis is demonstrated. The experience gained shows that high medical standards are achieved with low resource expenditure. The cost per patient is significantly reduced. Absenteeism from school and word due to disability during long waiting times and hospitalization is decreased. There is less demand for hospital beds and the risk of cross infection is reduced. The psychological trauma of hospitalization, particularly in children, is reduced, and the waiting period for surgical intervention is much shorter.