When children are present on the unit, there should be a registered paediatric nurse present at all times. The Royal College of Nursing standards recommend two registered paediatric nurses at all times.21
When children are present on the unit, support workers and health play specialists should play a key role within day surgery provision.21
The day surgery unit should have appropriate administrative support.
The minimum operating facility required is a dedicated operating session in a properly equipped operating theatre.
The ideal day surgery facility is a purpose-built, self-contained day surgery unit (DSU), with its own ward, recovery areas and dedicated operating theatre(s). This may be contained within a main hospital or in its grounds, to facilitate access to inpatient or critical care facilities, or it may be a freestanding unit remote from the main hospital site.
A viable alternative is for patients to be admitted to and discharged from a dedicated day surgery ward, with surgery undertaken in the main theatre suite. This arrangement may be more flexible for complex work and avoids duplicating theatre skills and equipment.
Every effort should be made to avoid mixing day cases and inpatients on the same operating list to maintain quality of care and efficiency.22
In patients with learning disabilities or special needs, there should be close co-operation with other specialists. A learning disability liaison nurse could be available to support patients and carers while attending the hospital either for outpatients, day surgery or as inpatients. If patients lack capacity and are unbefriended, then the involvement of an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) should be...
Facilities for privacy and confidentiality during preoperative discussion and examination should be provided.10 Preoperative discussions with patients in crowded waiting rooms should be avoided.
