Department of Health

Day surgery implementation toolkit

This toolkit supports health services to safely introduce, expand and monitor day surgery pathways through local adaptation of best practice guidelines.

Date:
July 2023

Safer Care VictoriaExternal Link has developed the toolkit as part of our Department of Health's Planned surgery recovery and reform program.

Additional health sector resources are available on our Planned Surgery Recovery and Reform SharePoint site.

For access, contact the Planned Care Recovery and Reform team via plannedcare@health.vic.gov.au.

Key principles for safe introduction and expansion of day surgery models

Flowchart showing key principles for safe introduction and expansion of day surgery models
Key principles for safe introduction and expansion of day surgery models

Establish a day surgery multidisciplinary team

  • Leadership and clinical governance
  • Develop local clinical pathways based on best practice

Before surgery

  • Patient selection according to defined criteria
  • Setting expectations for patient/carer and GP
  • Optimisation/Prehabilitation
  • Discharge planning

Day of surgery

  • Plan and prioritise day cases
  • Allied health support
  • Criteria-led discharge

On discharge

  • Discharge with appropriate support at home
  • Post-surgery care instructions, including escalation criteria and pathway
  • Follow-up care within 48hrs of discharge

Discharge 24-48 hr follow up options

  • Virtual Care - Phone call/telehealth review
  • Pre-arranged GP or outpatient appointment
  • HITH - HITH conduct home visits

Evaluation and continuous improvement

  • Quality improvement methodology supports implementation and sustainability
  • Monitor and measure outcomes
Download Key principles for safe introduction and expansion of day surgery models

Reviewed 29 August 2024