If used, the day of surgery admissions (DOSA) unit should ideally be located close to theatres to allow for efficient list management.
There should be a staffed reception desk or automated registration system to ensure the patient’s attendance is registered as they arrive in the DOSA unit, as well as sufficient seating for the patients throughout their stay.
There should be sufficient consulting rooms or privacy on the DOSA unit for preoperative checks or assessment by nursing, anaesthetic and surgical staff, including a secure environment to enable access to patients’ physical or electronic notes.
There should be equipment and facilities for basic day of surgery physiological monitoring checks, and near patient testing / laboratory blood tests as required for the patient case mix and surgery.
There should be sufficient space and changing rooms including toilets to allow for maintenance of patient dignity in the immediate period pre procedure. Suitable storage of personal effects including the patient’s own medication (e.g. secure storage lockers) should be available during transition through the perioperative pathway. Consideration should be given to providing an opportunity for basic entertainment while waiting for...
The operating theatre, and anaesthetic room where used, should conform to Department of Health building standards and be appropriately maintained.117
There should be provision of an emergency call system, including an audible alarm.117 A visible indication of the location of the emergency should also be considered.
The geographical arrangement of theatres, emergency departments, critical care units, coronary care, interventional radiology and imaging facilities should allow for the rapid transfer of critically ill patients.117
Anaesthetic sites must have scavenging systems that meet the Health and Safety Executive’s occupational exposure standards for anaesthetic agents.151
Appropriate blood storage facilities should be in close proximity to the operating theatre and should be clearly identifiable.117
