Causes and Associated factors of Operation Cancellation at Cardiothoracic Ain-Shams University Hospital

Abstract

Abstract Background Cancellation of elective operations is a sensitive indicator of operating room management. It results in loss of time, resources and affects quality of care. Operating room cancellation of elective operations is defined as cases that appeared in the definitive operative room list that ultimately were not performed on that day. Objectives To measure cancellation rate at Cardiothoracic Ain-Shams University hospital, Egypt and to identify causes and factors associated to cancellations. Methods Cross-sectional study that included 254 operations in all operating rooms of Cardiothoracic Ain Shams university hospital which provides specialized tertiary level of care. Results The overall cancellation rate is 21.7%, The most frequent cause of cancellation is standby operations accounting for 29.4%. Pareto chart shows that vital few causes are “patient prepared as stand by”, “previous long operation”, “change in Patient’s clinical status”, “equipment failure” and “ICU bed unavailable”. These causes are responsible for 80% of cancellations. Conclusion and Recommendation The avoidable causes of the problem should be addressed. Policy changes are recommended as well as continuous documentation and analysis of cancellation and its causes. Periodic awareness lectures for health care providers are suggested.