When scheduling surgeries, orthopedic practices should give preference to procedures that have not been previously canceled, according to a study in Current Orthopaedic Practice.
The study authors conducted a retrospective review of all patients scheduled for elective surgery over a single year at Charlottesville-based University of Virginia's orthopedic surgery department.
Of 7,215 elective surgeries, 13 percent were canceled prior to the scheduled time.
Of these:
- 44 percent of surgeries were cancelled within three days of the surgery
- 53 percent were rescheduled
- 21 percent of these were cancelled again
Procedures that were canceled without a correctable reason had significantly more re-cancelations and a lower procedure completion rate. Study authors conclude that among previously canceled surgeries, practices should preference those with a correctable reason for cancelation.