Risk factors and Reasons for Cancellation within 24 hours of Scheduled Elective Surgery in an Academic Medical Centre: A Cohort Study

Abstract Background The Operating Theatre (OT) is the largest cost centre as well as the main revenue generator in most hospitals. One of the common problems affecting optimal OT utilization is the cancellation of scheduled surgeries. The goal of this study was to identify factors associated with cancellation within 24 h of scheduled surgeries in a tertiary hospital. Methods All elective surgeries performed on adults 18 years and above between June 2015 and December 2016 were included. Cancellations ≤24 h from the scheduled start time of the surgery were recorded, with their reasons for cancellation. Data relating to the patient, surgeon and planned surgery were obtained from the hospital operational database. Univariate analysis and multivariable analysis were conducted using logistic regression. Results A total of 4060 scheduled surgeries were included, of which 398 (9.8%) were cancelled within 24 h of surgery. On multivariate analysis, cancellation within 24 h of surgery was associated with history of heart failure (Adjusted odds ratio, AOR1.65; 95%CI 1.08–2.50), advanced chronic kidney disease (AOR2.33; 95%CI 1.58–3.39), or a history of hip fracture (AOR2.29; 95%CI 1.33–3.80), low socio-economic status (on Medifund financing, AOR3.16; 95%CI 1.37–6.72), history of ≥4 cancelled surgeries in the past 3 years (AOR2.38; 95%CI 1.30–4.19), and scheduled time in the afternoon (AOR1.83; 95%CI 1.44–2.32) and evening (AOR2.09; 95%CI0.73–5.13), compared to the morning. Attendance at preoperative anaesthesia assessment clinic was associated with reduced likelihood of cancellation (AOR0.55; 95%CI0.43–0.72). Conclusions Several patient and system factors can be used to identify scheduled surgeries that are at high likelihood of cancellation within 24 h of surgery, which may inform strategies to improve the efficiency of OT utilization, including having a dedicated preoperative anaesthesia assessment clinic.