A Method For Providing Safe And Efficient Health Care In An Ambulatory Surgery Center: 10-Year Experience In Ophthalmology

The aim of this study is to describe the patient approach implemented in our Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) within the past 10 years. This methodology included patient education, surgical security checking and pain management, analyzing the benefits, limitations, and results regarding the overall patient satisfaction.

Centro Hospitalar Barreiro Montijo, Portugal

This retrospective study included the ophthalmic surgeries performed in our ASC from 2012 until 2022. The patient preoperative approach included a call 48h prior to surgery which comprised patient education regarding perioperative care; patient evaluation just before surgery and the appliance of a “Safe Surgery Protocol” in the operating room. Postoperative care included an available contact during 24 hours after surgery; the day after nurse call for clinical checking and pain management and a 1-month after surgery call. A satisfaction questionnaire with 20 questions have been applied.   

During the last 10 years, 13 769 ophthalmic surgeries were performed at our ASC with the appliance of this approaching model. Some changes were made during this period to customize this method.  We verified that the level of patient satisfaction raised significantly during this period. We will present our questionnaires and perioperative procedures. Surgery numbers raised throughout this period, except for the pandemic period, which reflects not only productivity and efficiency levels but also the global trend of ambulatory surgery being the way for solving patients’ needs with less inpatient time and less associated costs.

The development of ASC for ophthalmology has improved patient’s safety, surgical outcomes and societal costs. Our patient approach has shown good results and may provide multiple long-term benefits for the patients. This model may be replicated in other ACSs to improve health care, surgical safety, and patient satisfaction in ophthalmic surgery.