The use of operating trolleys for the entire patient pathway rather than theatre tables and hospital beds should be considered to maximise efficiency and reduce manual handling risk.
Support services including radiology, pharmacy and investigative laboratories should be available.
The facility to perform a 12-lead electrocardiogram and other point of care tests, such as international normalised ratio, should be available within the DSU itself.
Information technology systems in the DSU should be designed to record all elements of the day surgery pathway and allow for paperless records.
Translators or interpreters should be available for patients who do not speak or understand English and those who use sign language. Written information also needs to be available in different languages.
All information systems used in inpatient theatres should be available in day surgery theatres.
Information systems should allow for regular reporting and locally customised reporting to support quality improvement work.
The lower age limit for day surgery depends on the facilities and experience of the staff and the medical condition of the infant. Ex-preterm neonates should not be considered for day surgery unless medically fit and beyond 60 weeks post conceptual age.30
Infants with a history of chronic lung disease or apnoeas should be managed in a centre equipped with facilities for postoperative ventilation.
