Summary AMBULATORY ANESTHESIA

Ambulatory anesthesia is used for surgical procedures where the patient does not need to stay overnight in the hospital. The same anesthetics that are used in the operating room setting are used in the ambulatory setting, including general, regional and local anesthetics. Sedation anesthetics are also given in the ambulatory setting.  Advantages to the Physician: Complete autonomy of surgery schedule  Decreased costs associated with Hospitals  More time efficient than traveling to Hospital  Allows physician to focus solely on procedure Advantages to the Patient: Comfort and familiarity of physician without the hospital  No pre-admission testing required unless necessary  Decrease anxiety about procedure  Lower cost associated with elective procedures for anesthesia  Early discharge from hospital Less risk of nosocomial infections Appropriate procedures for ambulatory surgery are those associated with postoperative care that is easily managed at home, and with low rates of postoperative complications that require intensive physician or nursing management. Length of surgery is not a criterion for ambulatory procedures because there is little relationship between length of anesthesia and recovery.