Frequency and factors associated with cancellation of elective surgical operations in Intermediate Hospital Oshakati
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Date
2025
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
Introduction: An elective surgical case cancellation refers to any planned operation that
was not performed on the scheduled day. This problem has a negative impact on health
systems, especially in resource challenged countries. This study determined frequency and
factors associated with cancellation of elective surgical operation in Intermediate Hospital,
Oshakati.
Methodology: A prospective observational cohort study design was employed. All patients
scheduled to undergo elective surgeries from September to November 2023 were recruited.
A proforma was used to extract data from patient’s record, daily scheduled operation lists
and theatre surgery register. A thematic analysis of reasons for cancellation was employed.
Furthermore, analysis included descriptive statistics as frequencies and percentages,
presented in tables.
Results: During the study period, 1599 elective surgeries were booked, of which 336 cases
(21%) were cancelled on the day of surgery. Of the total cancelled cases, 186 (55.4%) were
female and 150 (44.6%) were males patients. Vascular surgery (45.8%) had the highest
proportion of cancellations while Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) department had the least
(9.4%). The most common factors why surgeries were cancelled were time constraints
(21.4%) and lack of theatre space (15.5%).
Conclusion: The overall cancellation incidence was found to be higher than the
internationally recommended rate of less than 5%. Our 21% rate was found higher than
that of most developed countries but lower than some African countries. Resource
limitations related factors constituted the most common category of reasons for
cancellations.
Recommendation: Most causes of cancellation can be avoided by building more theatre
space, employ more staffs and prioritizing the optimal functioning of operating theatre in
the hospital. Development of operating theatre standard of practice and policies is of
equally important. Furthermore, a constant communication between theatre user parties
should me maintained
Description
A thesis in partial fulfilment for the requirements for the Degree of Master of Medicine (Anesthesiology, Critical care and Pain management)
Keywords
Elective surgery, Case cancellation, Operation, Frequency, Factor, Namibia, University of Namibia