Discharge Criteria for Day Case Surgery
Can I be discharged via public transport to home (taxi, train, tram, bus)?
ANSWER = NO
Consent for medical treatment (consent form) implies that a general anaesthetic or regional anaesthetic (spinal, epidural, etc.) may be required for your procedure. This means the patient has to meet the discharge criteria, as per the Discharge Planning Questionnaire, to be suitable for Day Case Surgery.
Discharge Planning Question 4:
"Have you made arrangements for someone to take you home from hospital? A responsible adult must accompany Day Only patients home, and must stay with them at least for the first night after surgery."
ANZCA Guidelines
PG15(POM) — Guideline for the perioperative care of patients selected for day stay procedures.
A responsible adult can also be defined as a "carer":
"A person that is physically and mentally able to make decisions for the patient's welfare."
Therefore, taxi drivers — unless acting as a "carer" — do not qualify.
Options if Discharge Criteria Cannot Be Met
If a patient is not suitable for Day Case Surgery:
- Make appropriate arrangements as per the Discharge Planning Questionnaire.
- Admit post-op overnight on social circumstances & unable to meet discharge criteria.
→ Contact Bed Manager for a bed. - Bed unavailable → Postpone elective procedure.