Day Surgery is easily defined as a surgical procedure that is performed when the patient is able to be safely discharged on the same day
  • It was first started in Glasgow in 1909 when Dr Nichol (a paediatric surgeon) performed day surgery with very successful outcomes. However, it was not well received by his medical collegues and as a result it did not appear again until 1970 in Fresco, Arizona, when the first freestanding day surgery unit was opened.
  • It has thrived ever since and Australia's first freestanding day surgery unit (The Surgicentre) opened in Dandenong, Melbourne in 1985.
  • There are currently 215 freestanding Day Surgery centres in Australia .
  • Day Surgery is a very popular choice for many people who need surgery and are able to recover at home.
  • It is performed in many different places, however almost all are performed in either:
    • Freestanding Units: An independent, fully contained unit or
    • Integrated Units: A ward or unit within a hospital setting.
  • In America in 1985, 35% of all surgery performed was day surgery compared with 2000 when it was between 72 - 85%! Australia is currently performing 50.5% of all surgery as day surgery.

Types of surgery performed

What makes Day Surgery possible?
  • Arthroscopies
  • Cystoscopies
  • D&C's
  • Removal of Wisdom Teeth
  • Ear Grommetts
  • Cataracts
  • Laparoscopic surgery (keyhole surgery)
  • New and improved anaesthetics
  • Increased use of Local anaesthetics & NSAID's (Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drug's)
  • Better understanding & use of analgesics
  • Better management of PONV (post operative nausea & vomiting)
  • Specifically designed units
  • Appropriate pre-admission and post discharge policies

The most important issues for day surgery

  • Patients are given adequate information pre operatively to make informed decisions.
  • Patients are assessed to make sure they are safe for day surgery.
    (eg. Uncontrolled diabetes or recent cardiac episodes may mean the patient will need overnight monitoring for an existing condition rather than the type of surgery they are having).
  • Patients have the carer who stays with them for the first 24 hours with enough information and a call back number so that they are comfortable in the role of carer (often a relative or a partner.

What is it like to work in a day surgery unit? Great!!

  • There are many different roles and depending upon the size of the unit, it is possible to work in all areas:
        • Pre-admission
        • Admission
        • Anaesthetics
        • Scrub / Scout
        • PACU (post anaesthetic care unit)
        • Day surgery discharge area (stage 2&3)
        • Post discharge care
  • Many hospitals give graduate nurses the opportunity to work in the day surgery unit, if it is not normally available - ask!!
    Day surgery is not just simple surgery; all patients are different and respond to surgery differently and remember - there is no such thing as a minor operation to a patient!!

If you would like to know more about day surgery:

  • Join your Member State so you can attend the education evenings, seminars and conferences.
  • Contact any one of the committee members listed on the Contact Us page.