Are quality assurance and continuous quality improvement possible for ambulatory surgery?

Are quality assurance and continuous quality improvement possible for ambulatory surgery?

To ensure quality as well as patient satisfaction, follow-up telephone calls by an anesthesiologist should be made to all patients on the first postoperative day. Some facilities make two additional calls, one on the evening of surgery and another 1 week following surgery. Postage-paid post-cards may be sent to patients requesting information on the overall experience as well as specific areas of care. Space may be allocated for the patient to note side-effects or adverse occurrences. Depending on surgeons to provide accurate feedback regarding complications is unreliable. Therefore, a mechanism for follow-up must be in place to uncover and identify patterns that may require remedial action.