Evaluation of the Cancellation of Elective Surgeries on the Day of Operation in Terms of Hospital, Patient, and Cost Outcomes

This prospective observational study was conducted at the operating rooms of Elazığ Fethi Sekin City Hospital. The study included all elective surgical procedures that were cancelled on the scheduled day of operation for any reason after approval by the local ethics committee. Data were collected over a six-month period.

Demographic characteristics of patients, planned surgical procedures, surgical departments, and reasons for cancellation were recorded using patient interviews, medical records, and the hospital information system. Cancellations were categorized as patient-related, hospital-related, or surgery team-related.

The impact of same-day cancellations on hospital resources and costs was evaluated by estimating operating room idle time, personnel costs, unused equipment and medications, bed occupancy, preoperative preparation costs, and additional post-cancellation diagnostic or consultation expenses. Cost calculations were based on official Ministry of Health reimbursement tariffs.

Following cancellation and transfer back to the ward, patients were assessed face to face for anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The results of this study aim to provide data to improve perioperative planning, optimize hospital resource utilization, and reduce preventable elective surgery cancellations.

This study was registered retrospectively after study completion due to an administrative delay in trial registration.